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Florida Historical Tales 


AUTHOR’S REVISED EDITION 

(THIRD THOUSAND) 


Story of the Huguenots 

A SIXTEENTH CENTURY NARRATIVE WHEREIN 
THE FRENCH, SPANIARDS AND INDI- 
ANS WERE THE ACTORS. 



Press of Will A. Kistler Company 
Los Angeles, Cal. 

1912 



COPYRIGHT, 

1898 , 

BY F. A; MANN 


REVISED EDITION, 
• 1912 , 

BY F. A. MANN 


y 7 '/2. 


Dedication for New Edition 


He surely can be counted a friend who steps out into 
the storm to welcome another to a haven of shelter and 
rest, saying “ Peace be with you ! Make this your home 
until God gives you another.” 

A stranger in a far land, compelled by Providence 
or Fate, whichever one may name it, when beyond the 
allotted span of human life, to resume a strenuous task 
long laid aside, the author dedicates this revised edition 
of The Story of The Huguenots to 

DR. H. C. DIMOCK 
For that indeed , he was just such a friend. 

Florian A. Mann 

Lompoc, California, Sept. 12th, 1911. 




Story of the Huguenots 


5 


FLORIDA 


Neither prose, however deftly written by a master of 
language; or poetry full of the subtlest, grandest inspir- 
ation; or the art of the painter, however well the artist 
hand and pencil may respond to ideal conceptions of 
scenic beauty; can more than approximate a presenta- 
tion of Florida to the mind of one who has not wandered 
in its forests, stood by its sea, lake and river shores, 
breathed its balmy air and rejoiced in its sunshine. 

On all the surface of this great globe, Florida is, 
unique and matchless in its peculiarities of climate, soil 
and topography. 

In the latitude of the great African Sahara, washed 
by the same ocean, the climate and scenery of this 
peninsular region is at every point the opposite. So with 
its soil; its many and varied agricultural productions; 
its animal life, indigenous or domesticated; its general 
surface and configuration. 

More than three centuries ago the first settlement of 
Europeans was made upon her shores, yet to-day an 
hour’s walk or ride from the boundaries of any of her 
towns will take one into the primitive wilderness of forest 
and savanna, dale, hammock or cypress bay, wherein 
Ponce de Leon lost himself nearly four hundred years 
ago. 

Fire swept, war swept, though the land has been 
again and again, yet nature ever regains her dominion and 


6 


Florida Historical Tales 


erases the traces of attempted conquest. The hordes of 
painted savages, the bannered armies of later days, have 
melted into the earth and left no lasting traces behind. 
The lofty pines throw down their fragrant needles in soft 
carpets over the paths worn by their feet. The flowers 
and the grasses hide their camping grounds and their 
graves alike from sight. 

Changeless, yet ever changing and forever beautiful, 
Florida is still the fair temple of nature as erected at the 
first, for as yet the hand of man has added or marred 
but little. 

Still, as in the prehistoric times, the tides lap her 
silver beaches along more than a thousand miles of 
shore. Her rivers flow with tranquil currents to every 
point of the compass untrammeled by man, yet furnish- 
ing easy channels for his commerce or weirdly beautiful 
ones for his pleasures. Her great, clear fountains well 
up from subterranean reservoirs bounteous and exhaust- 
less as ever. Her thousand lakelets and inland seas flash 
back like polished silver mirrors the glorious sunshine of 
continuous summer days or the jewelling stars of nights 
equally as perfect. So too, as always since known to 
human beings, wild or half way civilized, the winds of 
heaven bring to all its parts, inland or coastland, sweetness, 
health and coolness. 

Here no sirocco comes with burning breath to 
shrivel up flower and leaf, blade of corn or grass. No 
blizzard comes from polar zones to bind in fetters of icy 
death. No cyclones tear down her palms and pines, her 
sturdy, stately oaks and their congeners, mingling 
uprooted trunks and mangled limbs with wrecks of 
human fabrics. 


Story of the Huguenots 


7 


Nor yet as in other lands that would rival this, does 
nature in a mood of anarchy and chaos, hold aloft the 
volcano’s torch or rock and cleave the earth with earth- 
quake horrors. Here she shows her gentlest spirit and 
bids love reign, in beauty, peace and comfort. 

Here she woos men to come and build their homes, 
by stream or lake or ocean shore, with the voices of gentle 
waves, the aeolian harps of pine forests or the unriv- 
aled minstrelsy of feathered songsters who surely learned 
their notes hard by the gates of Eden. 

Vain is the attempt to idealize Florida, as master 
minds have other lands. She has no Aegean sea, no vale 
of Tempe, no Parnassus or Olympian heights; no blue 
tideless Mediterranean, no snow crowned Alps or Appe- 
nines. Few are her sad stories of human woes and misery, 
lurid with war and conflagration, brightened with sun- 
bursts of glory and victory, blackened with the despair 
of ages. 

Yet can she forego all these and still be as fair a land 
as any under the sun for this is what she is as God and 
nature made her. 











Story of the Huguenots 


9 


Preliminary Historical Notes 

In 1512, Juan Ponce de Leon, Spanish governor of 
Porto Rico, fitted out three ships at his own expense, for 
a voyage of discovery. He was an old soldier, brave and 
skillful in the art of war, but ignorant and credulous. 
He was lured to Florida by tales of a miraculous fountain 
of youth somewhere within its borders. 

He sailed from Porto Rico March 13th, 1513, and on 
the 6th of April discovered a fair land to which, from the 
abundance of flowers found in its forests and the day upon 
which he discovered it, Easter Sunday, or as the Span- 
iards call it Pascua Florida, he gave the name it still 
bears. It is not certain at what place he first landed but 
on the 12th of April he landed in the vicinity where St. 
Augustine now stands, and taking formal possession of 
the country for Spain, proceeded to explore its coast. It 
is needless to say that he failed to find both youth and 
gold, and that on his second expedition a few years later 
his little army was broken up in warring with the natives 
and he himself was mortally wounded. 

The expeditions of Pamphilo de Narvaez in 1528 and 
Ferdinand de Soto in 1539, the latter of which landed at 
Tampa, in the end shared the same fate; Narvaez drown- 
ing with the bulk of his followers in the Gulf of Mexico 
and De Soto dying on the banks of the Mississippi. 

These expeditions were more marauding and plun- 
dering ones than anything else, resulting in little good 
except to add to geographical knowledge. 


10 


Florida Historical Tales 


The first attempt at practical, permanent coloni- 
zation, was made by Admiral Coligny of France, who 
sought to provide a refuge for the French Huguenots in 
Florida. In 1562 he sent out under Jean Ribault and 
Rene Laudonniere two vessels with colonists and sup- 
plies. They first sighted land near Mosquito Inlet and 
coasting northward discovered the mouth of the St. 
Johns, which they called the River of May. “He was 
met on its shores by many of the native men and women. 
These received him with gentleness and peace.” They 
made orations to each other which neither understood 
except their kindly import and exchanged presents. The 
genial, kindly Frenchmen were greeted everywhere with 
“grace and gentleness by a goodly people of lively wit 
and fine stature.” 

Sometimes when the Huguenots landed first, the 
natives fled to their coverts but were soon coaxed back 
by them and “persuaded finally to confidence.” The 
native Floridians “brought forward gifts of maize, palm 
baskets of fruit and flowers and dressed skins of bear 
and deer.” 

Laudonniere speaks of the “ odorous flowers, the fish 
swarming in the streams, the game in the forests, the 
gardens and villages of pleasant, peaceable people.” 

However, this expedition made no attempt at coloni- 
zation within the present limits of Florida. This was 
not done until 1564, when a settlement was established 
on the St. Johns near its mouth and left in charge of 
Laudonniere. The bloodly tale of its destruction by 
Melendez in 1565 is one of the many black pages of Span- 
ish history. 


PART I. 




\ 































Story of the Huguenots 


13 


Story of the Huguenots. 

THE HISTORY OF IT. 


CHAPTER I. 

FOUNDING OF LA CAROLINE. 

The first expedition of Ribault and Laudonniere in 
1562 established no colony within the limits of Florida. 
It however attempted a settlement at Port Royal in 
South Carolina which was abandoned in 1563, the colo- 
nists building a rude brigantine in which they attempted 
to return to France. They nearly perished by famine 
but were picked up by an English vessel and taken home. 

In 1564, through the influence of the great Admiral 
of France, Coligny, a second expedition was fitted out of 
three ships and the new armament was assigned to the 
command of Laudonniere, a man of intelligence, a good 
seaman rather than a soldier. He found it easy enough 
not only to procure sailors for his ships but settlers for 
the proposed colony. 

He and those with him on the former expedition 
were able to testify truly to the “ wonderful beauty of 
the country, the sweetness of the climate, the richness 
and variety of its fruits and flowers, the game in its 
forests, the multitudes of fine fish in its waters.” Many 
still believed in De Leon’s fountain of youth and in the 
dreams of rich cities and mines of gold and silver hid- 
den somewhere in its boundaries, that animated De Soto. 

It did not matter that heretofore death had kept the 


14 


Florida Historical Tales 


portals of the country. They were men who had defied 
him in the many battle fields of the civil wars which 
had raged in France for years. Not only did many 
soldiers volunteer, but workers and artisans in abundance. 

The passion for adventure, exploration and conquest 
had been raised to the highest pitch in the military class 
by the exploits of Cortez, Pizarro, Balboa and those of 
De Leon and De Soto, unfortunate as they were; while 
to the oppressed artisans and peasantry of Europe the 
new fertile lands, unbounded in extent and virgin, with 
the promise of a freedom not possible at home had great 
attraction. In fact far more volunteers presented them- 
selves than could be accommodated and on the 22nd of 
April, 1564, the expedition sailed from France in high 
hopes and expectations. 

A voyage of two months brought them to the shores 
of Florida, June 25th, near the same latitude as on the 
former expedition. The delight of the voyagers may be 
imagined when, on entering the River May, the San 
Mateo of the Spaniards, the St. Johns of the present 
day, they found themselves warmly welcomed by the 
natives, especially those who were recognized as former 
visitors with Ribault. It was at a period of the year for 
seeing the country in its greatest loveliness. The noble 
river, capacious enough for all the French navy to anchor 
in, the beautiful wooded shores lined with silvery beaches, 
the genial temperature combined with the kindly welcome 
given, raised their spirits to the highest pitch. 

When they landed, they were conducted by a large 
concourse of natives, with great ceremonials, to the spot 
where Ribault had set up a stone column carved with 
the arms of France “upon a little sandy knappe, not far 


15 


Story of the Huguenots 

from the mouth of said river.” With pleased surprise, 
Laudonniere found the pillar encircled and covered with 
wreaths of flowers and around its base were set little 
baskets of maize, beans and other products brought in 
great abundance as gifts to their visitors. 

The Indians kissed the column which they had con- 
secrated in memory of former friendship and made the 
French do likewise.” Their Chief presented Laudon- 
niere with a “ wedge of silver,” a gift that led the French- 
men to dream of great riches to be found somewhere in 
the land. Naturally they associated gold with silver 
and were assured that both were to be found amongst 
their enemies, the boundaries of whose territory came to 
the River May and extended far northward to a high 
mountain region. 

It is evident from the narrative that the natives who 
were first met by the Frenchmen were the original inhab- 
itants of the land; that they were a gentler race than 
those living to the northward and that the latter in time 
being more warlike eventually drove them southward, 
finally either exterminating them or absorbing the 
broken fragments into their own body. 

Laudonniere sailed up the river and was everywhere 
received with kindness. They mutually called each 
other “ friends and brothers.” He then coasted north- 
ward almost to Port Royal or Fort Charles. 

Laudonniere returned with his vessels from this cruise 
to the River May the latter part of June, 1564, having 
abandoned the idea of re-establishing the settlement at 
Fort Charles, of the fate of which the Indians had informed 
him, with the determination to found his Huguenot 
colony in the neighborhood of the beautiful river with 


16 


Florida Historical Tales 


which he had become acquainted on the previous voyage. 

The reasons for this preference are given in his own 
language, abbreviating and modernizing somewhat: 

“If we passed farther to the north to seek out Port 
Royal it would be neither profitable nor convenient, 
although that haven is one of the fairest of the West 
Indies. In this case the question is not so much the 
beauty of the place as of the things necessary to sustain 
life. For our inhabitation it is much more needful for 
us to plant in places plentiful of victual than goodly 
havens, fair, deep and pleasant to the view. In consid- 
eration whereof I am of opinion, if it seems good to the 
company, to seat ourselves about the River of May, see- 
ing that in our first voyage we found the same only to 
abound in maize and other corn.” The wedge of silver 
presented to him on his former visit and a few orna- 
ments of gold doubtless were the conclusive suggestions. 

Anchoring at the mouth of the river, which, from 
the scanty description left in the old chronicles, although 
contended by some to be the St. Mary’s conforms more 
to the St. Johns, Laudonniere took his pinnace and a 
number of the proposed colonists and sailed into it in 
search of a place for settlement. The result was the 
selection of a bluff on the south side of the river, evi- 
dently not far from its mouth, covered with a thick and 
high wood and close to what he calls “a great vale. In 
form flat, wherein were the finest meadows of the world 
and grass to feed cattle, with brooks of fresh water and 
high woods which made the vale delectable to the eyes.” 
This he called the vale of Laudonniere. 

On this bluff at the break of day on the 30th of June, 
1564, the trumpets were sounded and the Huguenots 


Story of th e Huguenots 17 

were called to prayer, and so, long prior to the landing 
of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth was celebrated the 
Protestant worship within the present limits of Florida. 

After this they applied themselves diligently to the 
erection of a fortress, triangular in shape, the landward 
side built of fagots, sand and turf, with a ditch, and the 
river side a palisade of planks or heavy timbers. Within 
it were built barracks, a house for the commandant, an 
arsenal, presumably of logs from the adjacent forests 
and thatched with palmetto leaves. 

In the neighborhood of the fort there were rich spots 
which afforded facilities for gardening, but so eager was 
Laudonniere to find gold and silver— an eagerness that 
was shared by all the company— that leaving only a few 
to guard the fort he commenced the exploration of the 
country, leading or sending out expeditions in various 
directions in search of the precious metals, some of which 
covered a large portion of Florida, Georgia and even 
South Carolina. If the narrative is to be credited, plates 
of gold and silver were secured from the native tribes to 
the northward in sufficient quantities to keep the colo- 
nists employed in this pursuit to the neglect of every 
other. For many months he and his lieutenants, Ottigny, 
D’Erlach, LeGenre and Captain Vasseur, pushed their 
gold and silver seeking expeditions, frequently involving 
conflicts with the Indians, more especially with the war- 
like confederacy, whose territories stretched from the 
Appalachian mountains southward to the borders of the 
River May, whom they called *Thimogoans. 

According to the tales of River May Indians the 
Thimogoan warriors covered their breasts and foreheads 
with plates of gold and silver, and it is probable that 


18 


Florida Historical Tales 


inhabitating a country in which both metals have since 
been found, there was some foundation for these state- 
ments which were, however, much exaggerated. It is 
said that Chevalier D’ Erlach returned from one of the 
most successful of these expeditions with no inconsider- 
able spoils of gold, silver, painted skins and other Indian 
commodities. 

These expeditions, however, by no means compen- 
sated in their results for the evils the Huguenots were 
bringing on themselves in neglecting their settlement at 
La Caroline, the cultivation of the natural resources of 
the country, and were preparing the way for the terrible 
calamity which fell upon it. 

(♦Query — Was this not the name from which Tomoka is de- 
rived, for in the wars which were prosecuted after this date these 
northern Indians succeeded in driving still farther southward the 
weaker and more peaceable coast tribe, until they occupied the 
neighborhood of the Tomoka and were long known by that name, 
to the time when they too were finally driven out by the Spaniards 
and English and plantations established where once were their 
populous villages.) 


Story of the Huguenots 


19 


CHAPTER II. 

FAMINE COMES— BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS. 

During many months but little improvement was 
made by the colonists of La Caroline in the way of util- 
izing the fertility of the soil in the production of food or 
even in strengthening the defences. As the winter 
passed away in constant expeditions after precious metals 
their stores rapidly decreased. They expected a renewal 
of supplies and an increase to their numbers through 
the arrival of Ribault from France with a fleet of vessels 
which, through Admiral Coligny’s aid he was to fit 
out. But they watched long in vain. The expedi- 
tion was delayed by troubles in France and in the mean- 
time a famine came upon the Huguenots, greatly as a 
result of their own recklessness. 

In May, Laudonniere himself describes their straits 
as very desperate: 

“We were constrained to eat roots, which the most 
part of our men pounded in the mortars which I had 
brought with me to beat gunpowder in, and the grain 
which came from other places. Some took the wood of 
esquine (probably cabbage palmetto) beat it and made 
meal thereof which they boiled and ate. Others went 
with their arquebuses to kill fowl,” and so on with a 
pathetic description of the weakness and sickness brought 
on by famine, finishing with reciting how the colonists 
not being able to work “did nothing but goe one after 
another, as centinals, unto the cliffe of a hill very near 


20 Florida Historical Tales 


unto the fort, to see if they might discover any French 
ship.” 

Finally their hopes deferred making them heart sick 
they pressed their commander to attempt the building of 
a vessel which, with the small one they had, would 
enable them to sail back to France. 

There were good shipwrights among them and to 
these Laudonniere deputed the task of building the new 
vessel while he undertook to scour the coast for provis- 
ions of any kind that might be found, but the expedi- 
tions which had traversed the neighboring territory had 
weakened the friendship and confidence of the natives 
with whom also at that time of the year there was no 
superfluous stock of provisions left. 

Laudonniere returned unsuccessful from a coastwise 
voyage of forty to fifty leagues and the colonists, now 
desperate with hunger, riotously insisted that the only 
way to extort food from the savages was to seize upon 
the person of one of their kings and secure it as ransom. 
To this at first their commander would not consent. He 
proposed a trial of the friendship of the natives and sent 
messages to open up traffic for food with the surrounding 
tribes. But the Indians knew the urgency of the case 
and proposed to turn it to account. They came to the 
garrison with small amounts of food for which they 
asked enormous prices. When Laudonniere remon- 
strated, they tauntingly answered: 

“If thou make such great account of thy merchan- 
dise, let it stay thy hunger. Eat it and we will eat our 
grain.” 

In the end and goaded beyond endurance Laudon- 
niere resolved on doing as his people counseled. 


Story of the Huguenots 


21 


Two of his barks and a body of fifty men were chosen 
for an expedition to the capital town of the chief, who 
ruled a large contiguous territory. This was forty or 
fifty leagues up the river and six or more leagues inland. 
One of his officers, D’Erlach, had been there before and 
knew the way. 

They made the voyage successfully to the point of 
debarkation; left a guard in their vessels and marching 
inland succeeded in taking the Indian village by sur- 
prise. They, however, made no hostile demonstration 
on entering the village, Laudonniere still hoping to 
obtain peacefully what he needed, and so parleyed with 
the chief. But while the chief did not hesitate to supply 
the immediate wants of the Frenchmen, he declined to 
furnish any considerable amount of provisions. In fact 
he argued that they were in a great measure responsible 
themselves for their destitute condition. He said: 
“Hath the Great Spirit commanded that the red man 
shall gather food in the proper season that the white man 
may sleep like the drowsy deer in the palmetto thicket V’ 

It was true, but it was also true that their wants 
admitted of no denial; and after a vain attempt to barter 
for food Laudonniere gave the signal to seize the chief 
which was promptly done. 

Then a war conch was sounded to rally the Indian 
warriors which was answered by D'Erlach’s bugler call- 
ing in the stragglers scattered through the village in 
quest of food and the retreat to the riverside began. 

The capture of the Chief data Utina was so unex- 
pected and the retreat to the river so rapidly and skill- 
fully executed that no chance was given the Indians to 
rally in sufficient force to prevent it. 


22 


Florida Historical Tales 


It was, however, Laudonniere’s intent to treat with 
them for food and not to engage in any hostile contest 
if it could be avoided, and so he opened a parley with the 
savages assembled on the banks of the river, proposing 
to release the chief upon their delivering a certain quan- 
tity of maize, beans, dried venison, etc. But the Indians 
were suspicious, believing the Frenchmen, after 
obtaining what they desired would not release him; and 
after fruitless attempts to obtain provisions with but a 
small quantity that had been obtained in the village, the 
expedition returned to La Caroline, taking also the chief, 
who was treated kindly but kept in confinement, which 
was very irksome to him. 

By dint of plundering the villages of some Indian 
tribes that had been guilty of unfriendly and hostile acts, 
fishing and hunting, the people of La Caroline managed 
to maintain life in a meagre fashion. Finally the old 
chief proposed that they take him back to his people and 
permit him to use his influence with them, telling his 
captors the maize was then about ripe and promising to 
use his best efforts in behalf of the Frenchmen. So the 
two little barks again sailed up the river. 

Long before they came to anchor at the landing, 
Olata Utina’s people gathered in great numbers, hardly 
knowing what to expect. Negotiations were opened by 
Laudonniere, who informed them that he was willing to 
release their chief to them for a quantity of provisions 
which to the Frenchmen seemed small, but to the Indians 
was a heavy ransom. It would sweep their little fields 
and granaries bare, even taking the very seed neces- 
sary for future harvests. Their love for their chief was 
not small, but it was of the last importance to free him 


Story of the Huguenots 


23 


without subjecting themselves to risk of famine. So they 
exercised all their arts of stratagem and diplomacy to 
secure that end without paying too dearly. They brought 
considerable supplies of food which they gave to the 
Frenchmen, but no definite end was reached for several 
days during which many hundreds of warriors gathered 
in the vicinity. But Laudonniere was vigilant and find- 
ing that attempts to rescue the chief or to capture Lau- 
donniere himself so that they might exchange chief for 
chief, could not be made successful, an agreement was 
finally entered into by which Olata Utina was to be 
freed, two chiefs agreeing to become hostages for the 
delivery of the ransom, which the Indians were to gather 
in from all the tribal villages within a certain time. 

The chronicle gives a brief description of the scene at 
the restoration of the chief to his people: “The two war- 
rior hostages came on board the bark and as they ap- 
proached their chief broke their bows and arrows in 
token of surrender. Then as they beheld his bonds, they 
knelt at his feet, lifted up his chains and kissed them, 
nor did they show any repugnance to assuming the fet- 
ters as they were loosened from Olata Utina, looking 
upon him with delight as he was being freed. ” 

The chief arose from his place and shook himself like 
a lion rousing from sleep. Never was head held more erect 
or form more stately. He waved his hand to the shore 
where his people were gathered. The signal was evi- 
dently understood for one of his sons came out in a canoe 
bringing a mantle of fringed and gorgeously dyed grass 
cloth, his macana or war club, and a mighty bow with 
arrows five feet long. 


24 


Florida Historical Tales 


Throwing the mantle over his shoulders, he took the 
bow and, before he left the vessel fitted an arrow to it, 
letting it fly out of sight into the air as a signal that he 
was once more free. A cloud of arrows from the shore 
followed that of their sovereign and wild shouts echoed 
far across the broad river. 

The liberated chief had agreed to the terms of the 
Frenchmen, but stipulated that he should have a certain 
number of days in which to gather the supplies. Lau- 
donniere left his lieutenants with a strong detachment of 
soldiers, one of the barks and the two hostages to await 
the issue while he returned to La Caroline. 

The upshot of the whole business was that after two 
or three days of waiting, word was sent to them that they 
must bring their hostages to the village and there receive 
the ransom, data had found it impossible to compel his 
people to promptly comply with the stipulations. They 
absolutely refused to bring any supplies down to the 
river. He, however, was honorably disposed to keep his 
word and thought their presence in the capital town 
would have the effect to make the people act more 
promptly. 

So they marched on the town, keeping their arque- 
buses loaded with the matches burning ready to repel 
any attack that might be made upon them. They reached 
the village in safety although the woods swarmed with 
warriors who were apparently only kept at bay by fear 
of the deadly fire arms and the vigilance of the Frenchmen. 

The dwelling house and council chamber of data 
Utina was on an “ artificial eminence,” probably a mound 
such as are still to be found in all parts of Florida. Here 
they found assembled all the chiefs of the nation except 


25 


Story of the Huguenots 

their former prisoner. To a certain extent his authority 
to treat with the Frenchmen was usurped by these chiefs, 
who were evidently determined to deal with the invaders 
themselves, using craft and dissimulation to throw them 
off their guard and then seize the first opportunity to 
overpower them. But D’Erlach and Ottigny were exper- 
ienced in savage habits and were not to be deceived by 
the apparently friendly reception given them. 

The Indians pointed to the sacks of meal and beans 
piled up on the council floor and showed the Frenchmen 
others being newly brought in. Then commenced a pal- 
aver designed to allay suspicions, but which had the 
contrary effect. At nightfall a private conference was 
held with Olata Utina. He informed them that his 
anxiety to comply with his engagements had impaired his 
authority; that the chief warriors had resolved to destroy 
the pale faces as invaders, consumers of their substance 
and destroyers of their peace. He advised them to 
retreat to their vessel and La Caroline with all haste, for 
from all quarters were gathering the warriors and there 
were only pretences made to carry out the treaty. 

The despondency of the chief was without hypocrisy. 
His warnings were sincere. But the necessity of secur- 
ing all the supplies they could prompted the Frenchmen 
to tarry the full period of four days and in the meantime 
they urged on the accumulation. 

Finally, seeing that no more was being brought in 
they released their hostages and on the morning of July 
27th prepared for the retreat to their bark. Each 
soldier was required to load himself with as much pro- 
visions as he could carry, the chiefs having flatly refused 


26 


Florida Historical Tales 


to furnish any carriers and for the last time in this region 
the French bugles blew the signal of marching. 

BATTLE OF TAGASETA. 

Not far did they go, however, before the battle they 
anticipated began. The woods swarmed with warriors 
armed with stone hatchets, war clubs and bows. But 
they had learned a wholesome respect for the arquebuses 
or matchlocks of the French and so their volleys of 
arrows were delivered at too great a distance to do much 
damage. However, as the road lay through hammock 
belts where the timber was thick it was soon found nec- 
essary to send out flanking parties to drive the Indians 
from their coverts and to disencumber themselves of 
their burdens of provisions so that they could more effect- 
ively handle their weapons. Seeing their enemies halt 
for this purpose, and mistaking it for a sign of fear, the 
Indians advanced closer, filling the woods with their 
yells, and delivered a volley of arrows that fell among 
the little squadron. Their steel caps and leather doub- 
lets, however, proved excellent defences against the flint 
and bone headed shafts and D’ Erlach said to his men: 
“Do not answere them yet, but stoop ye every man and 
break as many arrows as ye can. Blow your matches as 
ye do so and when they come close let the first rank 
deliver fire.” He had observed that the enemy gathered 
up the arrows as they passed and used them again. 

The command was obeyed with coolness by the 
arquebusiers and the result was when the savages made 
a concerted rush they were met with a volley of bullets 
which killed many and momentarily scattered the rest. 
New bands of savages, however, constantly appeared to 
harass the retreat and the whole day long the battle 


Story of the Huguenots 


27 


waged. The Frenchmen were compelled to economize 
their ammunition and forebore to shoot except when it 
was absolutely necessary. But the courage of the red 
men increased as the battle spirit warmed up and they 
bravely contested every foot of the way, even though 
their weapons and military skill were deficient. Great 
havoc was made among them, but never men fought 
more bravely than they did. It is written of them, in 
Laudonniere’s quaint record, “All the while they had 
their eye and foot so quick and redie, that as soon as 
ever they saw the harquebuse raised to the cheek, so 
soon were they on the ground, eftsoone to answere with 
their bowes and to flie away when we were about to take 
them.” 

The conflict ceased at nightfall when weary and ex- 
hausted the Frenchmen, of whom twenty-four were killed 
and wounded, chiefly the latter, reached their boats. The 
Floridians had shown themselves warriors of spirit and 
capacity. They had driven out the invaders, recovered 
the booty, rescued the hostages and if they had lost seri- 
ously so had their enemies. Reading the chronicle one 
is reminded that for more than two centuries they with 
the same indomitable spirit kept Spain and England at 
bay and finally only yielded after a heroic struggle, to 
soldiers forest born, like themselves, the best riflemen of 
the south led by Jackson, Taylor and Harney. 


28 


Florida Historical Tales 


CHAPTER III. 

ARRIVAL OF SIR JOHN HAWKINS AND RETURN OF 
RIBAULT. 

After all the toil and sacrifice of several brave men, 
it was found to be impossible to supply the colonists of 
La Caroline sufficiently to put them in good condition or 
good heart. Indeed the home sickness under which they 
labored had reached such a height as to admit of no 
appeal or argument. Cruel as France had been to the 
Huguenots, she was yet France and the memory of her 
green vales and vine clad hills was not to be replaced by 
the glorious beauty, even in its savagery, of the shores of 
the River May. 

Their discontents grew into a passionate longing for 
return and when it was found that the building of the 
vessel which had been commenced for that purpose 
would be delayed by the death in battle of two of the 
carpenters, they mutinously set upon Jean De Hais, the 
master carpenter, because he had declared it would be 
impossible to complete it by the specified time and it 
was with difficulty he was saved from the mob. 

There was still left of the original vessels which 
brought them an old brigantine and Laudonniere finding 
he was compelled to give up the original design of build- 
ing a new vessel addressed all of his energies to its repair. 
Determined to leave nothing behind when they were 
ready to depart his men tore down the houses which had 
been erected outside of the fort to make coal for the forge 
and also the palisades leading from the fort to the river, 


Story of the Huguenots 


29 


thus greatly weakening their defences, in spite of their 
governor's objections. 

Laudonniere was indeed very loath to give up the 
colony he had done so much to establish. It distressed 
him greatly that the promise of succor from France 
expected with the return of Ribault was delayed so long. 

On the afternoon of the third of August, Laudonniere 
took a walk as was his daily custom, to the top of a little 
eminence, near the fort, which offered a prospect of the 
sea. Looking forth to the eastward over the vast watery 
waste, he was greatly excited to see the sails of four ap- 
proaching vessels. The joy of the garrison was great 
for they naturally supposed Ribault was coming. Lau- 
donniere writes quaintly: “Soe great was their glad- 
ness at this that one would have believed them to be out 
of their wittes, to see them laugh and leap.” 

But the ships, instead of sailing boldly in as Ribault 
should have done, approached cautiously. Finally they 
cast anchor and sent out a boat toward the shore. A 
prudent fear of the Spaniards prompted Laudonniere to 
call the garrison to arms and send a detachment to meet 
the visitors at the river side. They hailed in French and 
in the same language came the reply, stating that the 
ships were those of the famous Admiral Hawkins on an 
exploring expedition. With him was Martin Atinas of 
Dieppe, one of the former colonists of deserted Fort 
Charles, picked up at sea and carried to Europe, who had 
piloted the squadron. 

The object of the British Admiral was pacific, nor 
was it long before his generous and noble conduct won 
the hearts of the Huguenots. He saw their distressful 
plight and gave them liberal supplies of wine and provis- 


30 


Florida Historical Tales 


ions. With even greater liberality and a wise policy, 
seeing their discontent, he offered to transport the whole 
colony to France. But Laudonniere was still hoping for 
the return of Ribault and a surer foundation for the 
colony, so declined the proposition which had been made 
to him only as a commanding officer. However, to make 
sure of the means to return if pressed to it, he bargained 
with Hawkins for one of his vessels. The consideration 
given by Laudonniere was a portion of the military fur- 
niture of the fort, particularly described as “Two bastards, 
two mynions, one thousand iron balls and one thousand 
pounds of powder, etc.” 

Moved with pity for the wretched condition of the 
Frenchmen, the generous Englishman offered supplies 
for which he accepted Laudonniere’ s bills, which the 
letter’s subsequent misfortunes never permitted him to 
cancel. These supplies included “twenty barrels of meal, 
six pipes of beanes, one hogshead of salt and a hundred 
(cwt.) of waxe to make candles. Moreover, forasmuch 
as he saw my souldiers goe barefoote he offered me 
besides fifty paires of shoes which I accepted. He did 
more than this: he bestowed upon myself a great jar of 
oil, a jar of vinegar, a barrel of olives, a great quantity of 
rice and a barrel of white biscuits. Besides he gave 
divers presents to the principal officers of my company 
according to their quality; so that I may say we received 
as many courtesies of the General as was possible to expect 
of any man.” 

This visit of Hawkins is the brightest episode in the 
history of the ill fated colony. Doubtless had it been a 
little later or had he tarried longer the cruel Spanish 
wolf never would have bathed his jaws in Hugenuotgore 


Story of the Huguenots 


31 


and certainly with amity between the English and French 
Florida might have been a prosperous country long 
years ago and have been spared generations of tyranny 
and degradation such as curse all lands overshadowed 
by the flag of Spain. But it was not to be. The 
folly of men, then as now, was thrown athwart the wis- 
dom of God and for a time turned this Eden of the new 
world into a hell of murder and rapine. 

Sir John Hawkins, whose arrival at La Caroline and 
the noble manner in which he treated the Huguenots 
has thus been described, left on record many particu- 
lars interesting in themselves and also as showing the 
primary causes of the colony’s fatal weakness. At 
the close of the war mentioned as resulting from the for- 
a &i n g expedition to the Indian villages, he relates that 
Laudonniere had not forty soldiers left unhurt. After 
detailing the supplies accorded to the colonists from his 
stores he adds: “ Notwithstanding the great want the 
Frenchmen had, the ground doth yield victuals suf- 
ficient, if they had taken the pains to get the same; but 
they being soldiers desired to live by the sweat of other 
men’s brows.” Here speaks the jealous scorn of the 
sailor. “The ground yieldeth naturally great store of 
grapes, for in the time the Frenchmen were there they 
made twenty hogsheads of wine, also,” says Hawkins, 
the land yieldeth roots passing good, deere marvelous 
store, with divers other beasts and fruits serviceable to 
man. These be things wherewith a man may live hav- 
ing corn or maize wherewith to make bread, and this 
maize was the greatest lack they had because they had 
no laborers to sow the same. Had they done so,” he con- 
tinues, “they having victuals of their own, whereby they 


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Florida Historical Tales 


neither spoil nor rob the inhabitants, may live not only 
quietly with them who naturally are more desirous of 
peace than warre, but also shall have abundance of 
victuals proffered them for nothing,” etc. 

The testimony of the Admiral is conclusive as to the 
originally gentle and peaceful character of the oboriginal 
Floridians. He speaks of the country as abounding in 
natural resources, equal to those of any region in the 
world. 

The account which Hawkins gives of the abundance 
of fish in the neighborhood is no exaggeration. It adds 
to the surprise of the reader at the wretched indolence or 
incapacity of the colonists, who, with this resource at 
“their doores, depended for their supply upon the Indi- 
ans.” He left the Huguenots on the 28th of August, 1565, 
making preparations to follow him. The biscuit was 
made, the goods and chattels were taken on board and 
most of the water; — nothing delayed their sailing but 
head winds. Laudonniere was prepared to depart when 
the voyage was arrested by the appearance of Ribault 
with the long expected supplies from France. 

The approach of Ribault’s vessels was exceedingly 
cautious; so much so that the heavier guns of the fort 
still left mounted were turned to bear upon them when 
up went the Fleur-de-Lis of France. 

The relief to Laudonniere was great, for he feared 
they might be Spaniards, and in the present weak condi- 
tion of the fort, defence was hopeless. The reasons for 
Ribault’s action arose from certain false reports which 
had reached France, of the conduct of Laudonniere, let- 
ters sent secretly by malcontents when Ribault had 
returned to France, and fabricated reports, accusing him 


Story of the Huguenots 


33 


of preparing to shake off the sovereignty of the mother 
country and designing to set himself up as the sovereign 
lord of Florida. Poor Laudonniere, living on snakes, 
crude berries and bitter roots, mocked by savages on one 
hand, flouted by rebels defying his authority, the target 
for the curses of the discontented and home sick, surely 
was in no mood to affect royalty on the banks of the 
River May. 

He was vain and ostentatious, perhaps; he had his 
faults and absurdities like other men, but he was genial 
hearted and brave. He had been too bitterly schooled 
by his adversities to dream of such idle affectations or 
desires. Yet, of all this the King of France nor Admiral 
Coligny, the projector of the colony, could know anything. 
Composed of Huguenots only, a people of whose fidelity 
the former might reasonably doubt, the Catholic King 
might be readily supposed to give ear to the charges, 
false as they were. However, Coligny, kept his promise 
and sent Ribault' s seven vessels with a military force 
corresponding. 

To the great relief of Ribault his old comrade re- 
ceived him with submission and soon succeeded in con- 
vincing him that he had been greatly slandered; that 
he was innocent of any assumption of royalty or of 
unauthorized state of any kind; that however unfortunate 
he might have been, he was not guilty of the follies, 
presumption and cruelty which constituted the several 
points in the indictment against him. 

Ribault strove to persuade him to remain in the 
colony and to leave his justification to himself; but this 
Laudonniere declined to do, resolving to return to France, 
a resolution which we shall see hereafter was only delayed 


34 


Florida Historical Tales 


too long, to the further increase of the misfortunes of 
our captain. 

Shortly after the arrival of Jean Ribault, Laudonniere 
fell sick with fever, and the former assumed command. 
Crowds of friendly Indians came to the fort, curious 
as to the new arrivals. They soon recognized Ribault 
as the chief who had raised the stone pillar at the mouth 
of the river. The recognition was easy by reason of 
the massy beard he wore. They welcomed him with 
the greatest cordiality and a number of the neighbor- 
ing chiefs recalled the ties of former friendship with 
mystic ceremonies and made fresh pledges of amity. 
They brought to him several pieces of what in their lan- 
guage they called “ sierra pira” or “yellow metal” which, 
upon being tested by the refiners, proved to be “perfect 
gold.” 

They offered to conduct Ribault to the mountains of 
Apalachia where it was to be found, they reported, in 
abundance. He was contemplating a visit to the moun- 
tains when events of the greatest importance, supersed- 
ing the hopes of gain, obliged the colonists to contend 
for their lives. The Spaniards, of whom they had been 
long apprehensive, appeared upon the coast. 


Story of the Huguenots 


35 


CHAPTER IV. 

PEDRO MELENDEZ DE AVILA APPEARS. 

Spain and France at this time were by treaty at peace 
with each other, but Spain claimed Florida by right of 
discovery and her jealousy had been roused by the 
reported attempted founding of the French colonies. 
Philip the Second, a cold blooded, malignant and jealous 
despot, freed by amnesty from the cares of war at home 
was now at liberty to push his conquests abroad. His 
great plea was his desire to spread the Catholic faith, 
but in reality he was moved only by a cruel and insatiable 
ambition and was in religion a fanatical hypocrite and 
bigot. 

Pedro Melendez de Avila, an officer who had previ- 
ously distinguished himself in other expeditions to the 
new world, sought and obtained the appointment of 
Adelantado with the hereditary government of all the 
Floridas, then comprising as claimed, an immense terri- 
tory stretching northward to the Carolinas and along the 
gulf coast to the Mississippi. Under the stimulus of the 
news that the French were attempting to take possession 
of a portion of this territory, Philip increased the fleet of 
the expedition to twenty vessels and its force to three 
thousand men. It became a crusade and the eager impe- 
tus of ambition was set on fire by the usual argument of 
a holy war. To extirpate heresy was in accordance with 
the cruel bigotry of both Charles of France and Philip. 

It is said that Charles, in the same spirit which after- 


36 


Florida Historical Tales 


wards prompted the horrible massacre of St. Bartholo- 
mew, had secretly surrendered the colony of Coligny to 
the remorseless, conscienceless monarch of Spain. Co- 
ligny well knew how little dependence could be placed 
upon his king in all matters pertaining to the Huguenots 
and as Ribault was about to depart from France on his 
last voyage wrote a hasty postscript to his letter of 
instructions as follows: “As I was closing this letter I 
received certain advices that Don Pedro Melendez 
departeth from Spain to go to the coast of New France 
(Florida ) ; see that you suffer him not to encroach upon 
you, no more than you will suffer yourself to encroach 
upon him.” 

On the voyage out the fleet of Melendez was scattered 
by tempests, many vessels being lost, until on his arrival 
at Porto Rico he could muster but seven or eight ships. 
The fleet of Ribault consisted of seven vessels, the three 
smallest of which ascended the river to the fort. The 
four larger, which were men-of-war, remained in the 
open roadstead at the mouth of the river. Ribault, be- 
fore he left the roadstead, charged his subalterns to be 
on guard against any vessels that might arrive, especially 
Spanish. 

It was well he did so for one September day they 
descried approaching the River May six large vessels. 
In the absence of Ribault the squadron was inferior in 
force to that of Melendez. It was evening when they 
stood in and too late for effective action. They lowered 
sail, cast anchor and forbore all offensive operations; 
there was even communication by boat under flag of 
truce between the squadrons. The Ave Maria echoed 
musically from the one squadron in the language of Spain, 


Story of the Huguenots 


37 


the evening songs of the French from the other. The 
night zephyrs blew soft and fragrant from the forest lined 
shores. All seemed peaceful and secure. But on every 
vessel were alert and wakeful sentinels gazing with keen 
eyes through the starlight to detect the first warlike 
movement. It was the summer night before the storm. 

In the parley that took place in the evening between 
the two squadrons, the Spaniards inquired by name after 
the chief captains and leaders of the French, betraying 
an intimate knowledge of facts which had been kept as 
secret as possible by the originators of the expedition. 
This was sufficient in itself to arouse the suspicions of 
the latter and that night the French captains held a con- 
sultation together. They decided that they were in 
danger of assault and prepared themselves accordingly. 
The men were notified to be in readiness to take their 
stations at a moment’s notice. Arms were overhauled 
and in readiness; sheets and halliards made ready for 
hoisting sail, for, being inferior in strength but faster 
sailors than their foes, it was decided at the first hostile 
movement to cut their cables, spread their sails and 
make for the open sea. The Spanish vessels occupied 
such a position as to make any attempt to move up to 
Fort Caroline dangerous. 

Before daylight the creaking of windlasses notified 
the French that the Spanish vessels were heaving home 
their anchors, and without delaying to do the same, by 
dawn their own sails were hoisted and cutting their 
cables they stood out to sea just as the Spanish squadron 
headed for them. 

The six Spanish vessels pitted against the four French 
ones, opened fire upon them, but the range of cannon 


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Florida Historical Tales 


in those days was not so great as now and their shot 
fell short. The French wasted no shot upon their pur- 
suers and paid more attention to showing their enemies 
a clean pair of heels. 

The chase continued the most of the day. Finding 
pursuit useless the Spanish tacked towards evening and 
stood in for the entrance of the Selooe, called by the 
French the River of Dolphins, but now known as the 
Matanzas River and St. Augustine Inlet. 

The test having shown that they were the speedier, 
the French vessels came about and saucily followed them 
to make what discoveries they could. Coming as close as 
they dared they found “The Trinity,” the seventh and 
largest of the Spanish vessels, anchored off the bar. 
Three of their late pursuers remained just inside while 
the other three, regarding the rest as more th^in a match 
for the French, sailed to the landing where an encamp- 
ment had already been made. Having noted these 
things the French returned to the River May and reported 
to Ribault. 

In corroboration of these facts a neighboring friendly 
chief had sent information to Ribault, that the Spaniards 
had gone ashore in great numbers at Selooe, or as Melen- 
dez christened it, St. Augustine, distant across the land 
but eight or ten leagues from La Caroline; that they had 
dispossessed the natives of their houses and were busy 
in entrenching a regular encampment for which purpose 
he had disembarked his superfluous men and remained 
with the great ship called The Trinity, before sending 
the rest in search of the French. 

Ribault did not have the slightest doubt as to the 
intention of Melendez to attack La Caroline from this 


Story of the Huguenots 


39 


point as soon as possible. Brave as a lion he resolved to 
take the initiative. He needed no stronger justification 
than the pursuit and firing on his vessels by the Spanish 
fleet. The royal banner of France had been hostilely 
assailed although the two nations were nominally at 
peace with each other. 


40 


Florida Historical Tales 


CHAPTER V. 

RIB AULT'S ATTACK ON ST. AUGUSTINE— THE STORM. 

Ribault called a council with all his officers in Lau- 
donniere’s chamber at La Caroline, that captain still 
being ill with fever. There he arrayed the arguments 
in favor of attacking the Spaniards at St. Augustine 
before they could complete their defensive arrangements. 
His plan was to fall upon them with all his forces by sea, 
boldly attacking The Trinity at anchor when the rest 
were in no condition to support her, and the troops of the 
Adelantado were partly on shore and partly on the other 
vessels busily engaged in the removal of material for the 
settlement. > 

Laudonniere, however, objected to Ribault’ s plan. 
La Caroline was in almost a defenceless condition; it 
was the season of the year as he had found by experi- 
ence when sudden storms might be expected. Some of 
the other captains sided with him but Ribault, old sailor 
and gallant soldier, was eager for the fray. He did not 
give Laudonniere the credit he deserved for skill and 
courage. 

He took his own course and ordered all of his own 
men on board his seven vessels. But not satisfied with 
this he took also from the fort nearly all the able bodied 
men and on the eighth of September parted with Lau- 
donniere for the last time. 

Scarcely had he crossed the roadstead when his ves- 
sels met squally weather, the precursor of the violent 
storm which followed. Ribault held on, however, to the 


Story of the Huguenots 41 

southward and in a few hours his squadron was off St. 
Augustine Inlet. 

Had he been well acquainted with the channel and 
sailed boldly in, scarcely anything could have prevented 
a complete victory over the Spaniards. The two heavier 
vessels, relieved of their armament and troops, which 
had been transferred to the land, had been dispatched to 
Hispaniola. The remaining five vessels were unequal in 
strength to Ribault's. 

Three of the latter's lighter vessels were sent in to 
take soundings and lead the way while the others worked 
after them slowly. The hours lost in this decided the 
fate of the Huguenots. Had they passed straight in 
upon their foes, the latter could have made no effective 
defence. 

Two only of Melendez' vessels, on board one of 
which the Adelantado himself embarked, were ready for 
battle when the French were sighted. Their armament 
was inferior, but Melendez hoped to delay the entrance 
of Ribault until all the forces at his command could be 
rallied. 

Melendez was as brave as Ribault. Both were stim- 
ulated by a fierce hatred on the score of religion. The 
Huguenot hated the Spaniards as Catholics, and they 
hated him and his followers as heretics. Each in his 
own estimation would be doing God service by ridding 
the world of the other. 

Melendez exhorted his men, who were fearful of the 
odds against them, to be brave and prophesied a miracle 
would occur to deliver them from their enemies. 

In the very moment when the hands of Ribault were 
stretched out to grasp the prize of victory which should 


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Florida Historical Tales 


annihilate Spanish power in Florida, the squalls sud- 
denly changed to a north-east gale that broke upon the 
French squadron with the roar of a thousand lions. 

The waves arose and mad foam capped billows broke 
clear across the channel. With a groan of rage and 
disappointment, Ribault was compelled to abandon the 
assualt and turn his attention to the safety of his vessels. 
Like the froth of the waves they flew southward before 
the mighty power of the hurricane, speeding along the 
white sand belted coast with no harbor of refuge for them. 

Whatever their faults, their virtues, their heroism, 
the aroused forces of nature cared naught for them, 
seeming only desirous to doom them to pitiless des- 
truction. 

Darkness and storm engulfed them and through it all 
they could only see the phosphorescent glare of the 
breakers upon the shore and hear naught but, their thun- 
der. 

The hollow concave of the heavens was filled with 
spray and darkness, save when the lightning flashes 
threw a ghastly glare upon the tumultuous .waters. 

In the meantime the Spaniards from the depths of 
their previous abandonment to despair, were exalted to 
the highest pitch of enthusiasm and rejoicing. Melen- 
dez had promised that God should work a miracle to 
save them. He shrewdly turned the storm to advantage 
in stimulating the faith and devotion of his people. 

“See,” said he, “what wonders God has done for 
you this day. Call you this the cause of our king only? 
It is the cause of the King of Kings! We are few, we are 
feeble, in a wilderness swarming with savages, but He 
will overcome them for us as He has already driven to 


Story of the Huguenots 


43 


destruction those heretics, the spawn of Satan! The 
cause in which we strive is holy. The God of storms 
and battles has ranged himself upon our side.” 

Cries of exultation answered him. A thousand voices 
renewed their vows of fidelity and swore to follow where 
he should lead. He commanded a solemn mass should 
be celebrated in the morning and that all the army should 
be present. 

He knew it would be long, if ever, before the French 
vessels returned and already planned the utter destruc- 
tion of La Caroline before succor should come. 

Don Pedro Melendez de Avila was a man of rare 
energy, extraordinary foresight and indomitable will. 
His religious^ fanaticism, if real, gave the sanction of 
religion to his relentless cruelty, a savage trait of the 
Spanish character then as now. But the history of the 
whole matter shows that, after all, it was not so much 
the difference of creeds that made Melendez resolute for 
the utter destruction of the heretics of La Carolina but 
because he believed it absolutely essential for the con- 
tinued existence of the Spanish colony that the French 
should be destroyed. He but played upon the ignorant 
fanaticism of his followers to stimulate them to work 
to that end with all their energies. 

This design, however, the continued succession of 
stormy weather and the unsettled condition of affairs in 
his' new colony of St. Augustine, compelled him to post- 
pone for some days while he was busily engaged in erect- 
ing fortifications and dwellings for his people, during 
which the temporary enthusiasm created by the late 
apparently providential deliverance from their enemies 
died away in a great measure. 


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Florida Historical Tales 


The mass of the Spanish colonists were not veteran 
soldiers, for to that class which in that marvelous age of 
Spanish conquest and glory abounded in Spain, the rich 
fields of Mexico, Central and South America offered far 
greater inducements, but were new recruits, or peasantry 
undisciplined and inexperienced in such hardships as 
they were now compelled to endure. There was soon 
consequently much murmuring and discontent. 

But if the Spaniards at St. Augustine felt their hard- 
ships so greatly and their state was disheartening, much 
more so was the condition of affairs at La Caroline. 
Weakened by the departure of Ribault, of whose fate 
they could only conjecture; knowing only through the 
agency of Indian friends that the squadron had failed 
to accomplish its purpose and had been driven off by the 
gale, which had been followed by heavy rains and vio- 
lent winds, the Huguenots at La Caroline were in a more 
deplorable state than ever. The supplies brought out by 
Ribault for them had been chiefly appropriated for the 
use of the fleet. A survey made immediately after his 
departure led to the stinting of the daily allowance for 
the garrison reduced as it was. Laudonniere was still 
sick; the men were spiritless, hopeless and consequently 
the work of repairing the defences went on but slowly, 
and even its watch was maintained with doubtful vigi- 
lance. Themselves much averse to exposure, they 
thought the Spaniards would not undertake any attempt 
upon the fort during the equinoctial storms, when march- 
ing through the rains and wading morasses would be 
likely to bring upon them malarial fevers and other sick- 
ness, and were neglectful of their duties. Languid with 
the fever of half healed wounds, or full of malarial poi- 


Story of the Huguenots 


45 


son, enfeebled with scant food, even the bravest vete- 
rans among them had lost heart and had sunk into a 
state of apathy from which it was impossible to arouse 
them. 

Not even Laudonniere could blame them, although 
he had reason to believe that at some unexpected moment 
his cruel and wily enemy would aim his heaviest blows 
upon their heads. 

Leaving the unfortunate Huguenots of La Carolina, 
let us turn again to the Spaniards at St. Augustine. 

The energy of Melendez knew no sleep; in spite of 
storms and torrents of rain which deluged the land; the 
murmurs and discontents of his people; he kept at work 
trenching and fortifying the point of land between the 
San Sebastian and the inlet which he had selected as the 
site of his settlement, from which he dispossessed the 
Indians, converting their dwellings to the use of his sol- 
diery. While he had reason to hope that the French 
fleet might have come to grief in the storm that had so 
opportunely arisen, he was too well versed in the vicissi- 
tudes of war to neglect providing every defence possible 
should it have escaped injury. If it did so, he knew it 
would return to renew the attack upon him. 

Whatever his fanaticism might whisper to him of 
divine interposition in his behalf, reason taught him to 
see to it that every available means at hand should be 
used for the protection of his settlement first and every 
possible preparation be made to secure success when he 
should take the initiative against his foes. 

He evidently studied over the situation closely. 
While he preached the cause of Catholicism as an incite- 
ment to his followers against the heretic Huguenots, it is 


46 


Florida Historical Tales 


plainly evident that motives of policy, or as he viewed it, 
absolute necessity, called for the destruction of Coligny’s 
colony. While Ribault and Laudonniere were able to 
dispute the Spanish claim to possession of the Floridas 
his title of Adelantado amounted to nothing. 

It might any day end in his being driven ignomini- 
ously from the land over which he was expected to estab- 
lish sovereignty. As Scipio decreed the destruction of 
Carthage, because unless Carthage was destroyed Rome 
would be, so Melendez decreed the destruction of La 
Caroline. 

Had they been a kindred people, with possibilities of 
amalgamation or absorption, it is not likely that a mere 
creedal difference would have prompted him to the ter- 
rible atrocity which marked the downfall of French 
power in Florida. But trained in the cruel hypocrisy of 
the age, which threw over its greatest crimes the cloak 
of religious sanction, he did not hesitate a moment in 
assuming the same disguise, and in the name of God he 
served the devil Ambition. 


Story of the Huguenots 


47 


CHAPTER VI. 

THE DESTRUCTION OF LA CAROLINE DECREED BY 
MELENDEZ. 

It has been noted that Melendez had decreed the 
destruction of the Huguenots of La Caroline. 

It was on the 8th of September Ribault made his 
attempts on Melendez at St. Augustine. The reader is 
apprised of the disastrous result of that expedition. A 
week was passed by Melendez in finishing his defensive 
preparations and then he called a council of war. Tor- 
rents of rain were still falling. The low flat pine lands 
of the interior were afloat, but Melendez' indomitable 
will knew no check from natural causes. More than any 
other member of his little army, he was as dauntless as 
he was ferocious in his determination. 

The council of war was held in the old council house 
of the Indian tribe occupying this vicinity at the time of 
his arrival, a round fabric made of logs and earth, thatched 
with palmetto leaves. It was not a comfortable place 
with its rude log seats and its central pitch pine fire 
casting a weird gleam over the armor of his captains. 
But their leader recked nothing of these discomforts. 
He knew the people he had to deal with thoroughly; 
their weaknesses and discontents, the base natures 
of many of them and their utter incapacity to realize 
the scope of his ideas and plans. 

He could scorn their imbecility and cowardice, but 
he must use them. There were no other instruments 
attainable and they must be aroused from their apathetic 
state to the work before them. 


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As he stood in their midst the air was filled with the 
muffled roar of the surf and the rush of the rain. He 
looked around the circle and saw no enthusiasm in their 
eyes. They were down-cast and moody. Already had 
they realized that Florida was not offering them the 
booty of rich cities as Peru and Mexico did to Pizarro 
and Cortez. Even the priests were discouraged. 

Nothing daunted, he clearly placed before them the 
proposition to march overland to La Caroline “To de- 
stroy those arch heretics in the very fortress of their 
strength — in the very place which they have built as 
their refuge. Even the tempest, if it continues, will aid 
in the achievement of success !” 

Murmurs broke out among the listeners. “ What is it 
that ye fear?” asked Melendez. One arose and answered: 
“Shall we, left here on this savage shore, not yet en- 
trenched, divide our strength to attack La Caroline and 
give Ribault a chance to fall upon our camp here, destroy 
it and place us between two hostile forces? Surely this 
would not be wise or prudent?” . 

Then Melendez, orator as well as soldier and fanatic, 
spoke forcibly and with eloquence which stirred all their 
hearts. He claimed to see with prophetic vision that 
Ribault would not trouble the camp; nay, could not, 
because the tempest was still carrying him before it 
or had engulfed him in the seas. Should he escape all 
the dangers of the storm and the keys which lined the 
coast to the southward, weeks must pass before he could 
possibly return to St. Augustine. In that time they 
would have accomplished their purpose. They would be 
able to turn his own cannon against him. He declared 
it was war to the uttermost between them. If the French 


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Story of the Huguenots 

were not destroyed they themselves would be destroyed. 
They would give no quarter; they should have none. 
The French were heretics and pirates, invaders of the 
territories of Spain and as true Spaniards it was not only 
a patriotic duty to extirpate them but a religious one also. 

He chided them for being afraid of exposure to the 
elements; for being fearful of receiving a few hard knocks 
and loath to march against an enemy inferior in everv 
way to themselves, because there was no royal road for 
them to march over. 

All reasonable objections and arguments in opposi- 
tion were patiently listened to and controverted with 
such skill that the objectors were reduced to a minority 
and silenced. 

It was decided the next morning to prepare for the 
expedition which was to consist of five hundred men. 

Provisions were to be carried for eight days. The 
force was divided into six companies, each with its flag 
and captain. A picked company of pioneers with axes 
was chosen to clear the way. 

One writer says that at this point in the council 
arrangements, Father Salvandi, a priest, brought in a 
strange man partly in the costume of a sailor whom he 
introduced as “Francis Jean, a Frenchman, once a here- 
tic but now recanting and desirous of becoming a Catho- 
lic, who will report what he knows touching the condi- 
tion of La Caroline and will act as a guide.” 

The statement was made that he had fled because he 
had been beaten by Laudonniere. If the incident is true 
he was probably some thief or insubordinate who had 
been thus punished, for Laudonniere, as we have seen, 
was never a cruel man or severe in his rule. 

With these conclusions arrived at and arrangements 
made the council adjourned. It is true that upon the 
next day in the midst of preparations for the march, 


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under the discouragements of the continued bad weather, 
a mutinous spirit was manifested by some, even of the 
officers, but to this Melendez wisely gave but little atten- 
tion, except to allow no delay in the preparations. Fran- 
cis Recaldo, Diego de Maya and St. Vincent boldly 
remonstrated with the Adelantado, but his answer was 
an invitation to dine with him and all the rest of his 
officers that day. He played the part of host as well as 
he had done that of leader at the council, and silenced 
all opposition. By the morning of the 15th the army was 
ready to march. 

They had made much of the imaginary and real diffi- 
culties and dangers of the expedition, but at La Caroline 
there were less than a hundred men, besides women and 
children, to defend a half dismantled, poorly constructed 
fortress, whose commandant was still too ill to take 
charge of affairs and was compelled to trust to careless 
subordinates. 

The Adelantado, having thoroughly organized his 
little army, placed himself at its head and in spite of the 
rainfall which still continued daily, marched toward La 
Caroline. 

Boats from his vessels carried the force up the San 
Sebastian to a point where the marshes ceased and they 
could reach the solid land. 

Here the vanguard composed of Biscayans and Astur- 
ians, expert with the ax, were sent forward to cut a way 
through the tangled hammock under the command of 
Senor Martin de Ochoa. With it went the traitor Francis 
Jean, who had abandoned both his religion and his loy- 
alty, closely watched. 

Not many miles did they make on the first day, 
retarded as they were by the difficulty of cutting a path 
through the dense thickets which lined the shores of the 
San Sebastian, and the rain storm which broke upon 


Story of the Huguenots 


51 


them. But their camp was pitched at last in the open 
pine woods. Even on that night, around the bivouac 
fires which gleamed upon steel cuirass and morion, there 
were murmurings of discontent at what was deemed an 
unnecessary and ill timed expedition which could have 
neither glory or riches in it. 

Melendez, however, did not suffer the least abatement 
in his ardor to fall upon and surprise the French strong- 
hold, and wrapped in his cloak slumbered by his fire of 
pine knots as calmly as if in a palace. 

As usual in this region the rains fell chiefly at a 
certain time of the day, coming down with such force and 
intensity as seemingly to exhaust the clouds for the time 
being, leaving the levels of the pine woods flooded, until 
the waters could drain off into the cypress swamps and 
find their exit thence to the sea by winding tortuous 
creeks, whose presence could be detected, as they ad- 
vanced, by heavy fringes of cypress and by their closing 
the forward view. 

The second and third days were like the first, dreary 
marches through flooded lands, while the rains soaked 
their garments and made it extremely difficult for the 
soldiers to protect their ammunition and provisions. 

On the fourth day they were within a few miles of 
La Caroline, but before them lay a broad marsh in which 
the water was up to their middles. 

It was here that the hearts of the common soldiers 
sank because of their toil and suffering and more than a 
hundred slunk away, retracing their st#ps to St. Augus- 
tine, where their reports of disaster to the expedition 
made a temporary excuse for their desertion. 

But Melendez' indomitable courage, his unbending 
will, his presence and voice of command, still" prevailed 
to push the greater proportion of his troops forward, in 


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spite of the fact that many muttered curses upon his 
head. 

One Fernan Perez, an ensign of St. Vincent’s com- 
pany, was bold enough to say “ He could not comprehend 
how so many gentlemen could let themselves be led by 
an Asturian mountaineer who knew no more about carry- 
ing on war on land than a horse.” 

Even then, when so close to the goal he aimed at, 
Melendez was compelled to use all his skill, craft and 
dissimulation, enforced by claims of inspiration or 
revelation. 

Urging them on with fiery zeal he succeeded in pass- 
ing the marshes and reaching the more solid land be- 
yond, which his guide, the renegade, assured him ex- 
tended to the very gates of the French fortress. 

At sunset they halted for their supper within striking 
distance of La Caroline, without having given the alarm. 
Their temporary camp was out of sight from the fortress, 
and as the day had been a stormy one not a Frenchman 
had been landward, nor had a single friendly native been 
stirred to bring tidings to the garrison. 


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Story of the Huguenots 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE FALL OF LA CAROLINE. 

Under the guidance of the renegade, Melendez and 
his captains made a reconnoissance of the fort. Dark as 
the night was he soon found that it was not only careless- 
ly watched but that breaches in its rude walls afforded 
easy means of entrance. Rains were falling and gusty 
winds were blowing. De La Vigne, one of Laudonniere’s 
lieutenants, was captain of the watch that night, but 
through pity for the sentinels exposed to such weather 
allowed them to shelter themselves as best they could, 
and not dreaming that an enemy could be abroad on such 
a night, himself retired to his quarters, satisfied that 
everything was secure. 

Little did he know that just beyond the range of his 
vision the arch-enemy of the Huguenots of La Caroline 
was praying that he might be enabled to change their 
slumbers by dawn into the eternal sleep. And so passed 
the night of the nineteenth of September— the last one 
for the Frenchmen in La Caroline. 

Before dawn, with his forces divided into commands 
under Martin de Ochoa, Francis Recaldo, Andres Lopez 
Patino and himself, the landward sides of the fortress 
were invested. While waiting impatiently for daylight, 
Ochoa and the master of the camp, Patino, silently pene- 
trated one of the breaches. They came across a drowsy 
sentinel who exclaimed “Qui vive!” Ochoa answered 
promptly “France!” but the sentinel not satisfied ap- 
proached to inspect more closely, thinking they were 
possibly stragglers from the brigantine lying in the 
harbor, only to receive a stunning blow from a partisan. 


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The sentinel recovered his footing and drew his 
sword but was struck down again, disarmed and at the 
sword’s point forbidden to make a sound. He was con- 
ducted to Melendez who commanded him to be slain, 
and as the dawn was breaking the order was given for 
the assault. 

Two more of the sentinels at the outer posts were 
slain, while scarcely roused from their sleep. A third 
however, on the ramparts, saw the Spaniards rushing to 
the assault and cried “To arms!” Shouting the alarm he 
fled before them and Laudonniere was aroused but the 
warning came too late. 

The Spaniards were in the fort. The feeble garrison 
could not rally on a single point. Laudonniere seized his 
arms and weak although he was from his late sickness, 
rushed into the central court and called upon his soldiers 
to rally to him. Some did, others were butchered as they 
endeavored to do so. The wild shouts of battle, the cries 
of women and children, rang out over the waters of the 
River May. 

At the southwest portion of the fort some of the 
bravest of the garrison rallied and made a desperate stand. 
These Laudonniere joined and by the most headlong 
valor endeavored to expel the invaders. But it was 
utterly in vain. The Spaniards had won too secure a 
footing and were in too great numbers to be dispossessed. 
Melendez shouting his fanatical war cry “God is with us, 
my comrades!” led them on. 

They mocked the tardy valor of the Huguenots, their 
feeble force, and as one by one they fell, derided them 
with taunts and curses while hacking and stabbing the 
poor unfortunates mercilessly, until no life was left in 
their mangled bodies. 

Pressing forward through the melee, Melendez soon 
confronted Laudonniere but did not know him as they 


Story of the Huguenots 


55 


had never met before. The renegade, Francis Jean, 
pointed out his old leader saying “That is he! Laudon- 
niere, the captain of the heretics !” 

“ Is it thou ? traitor ! Let me but live to slay thee and 
I care nothing for the rest!” shouted Laudonniere, mak- 
ing at him. 

But Melendez thrust back the traitor and interposed 
his Toledo blade and mailed form to prevent Laudon- 
niere’s just vengeance. 

As the Spaniards pressed on, the few Frenchmen fell 
back until only one brave, stout man, Bartholomew 
Prevatt, stood with Laudonniere trying to beat back the 
assailants with a heavy partisan. Melendez, a stalwart 
warrior, clad in mail, sprang eagerly forward hoping to 
slay Laudonniere, who, in his condition no match for 
him, was just as eager for the fray. At that moment he 
preferred to die in the battle, for so might his honor be 
saved. But this was denied him. A rush of fugitives 
bore him back towards a breach accompanied by the 
faithful Bartholomew. He yielded only foot by foot, 
parrying with sword and buckler like an accomplished 
cavalier, the sword thrusts of Melendez and the assaults 
of the long pikes of the Spaniards, his one faithful fol- 
lower keeping by his side yet urging him to retreat. 

Falling back, still facing the foe, through a narrow 
alley way, they reached the yard in which was Laudon- 
niere’s lodging. Here a tent happened to be standing 
around which they passed but in the melee the Spaniards 
thought they had gone into it and so rushed in. 

“Hither, now; Monsieur Rene!” cried Bartholomew, 
grasping him by the wrist, “follow me and we shall surely 
escape.” 

For a moment Laudonniere stood thrusting the point 
of his sword into the wet earth, in vexation and despair, 


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while the tears stood in his eyes and groans were on his 
lips. 

‘See! we have not a moment to lose, the tent falls, 
the Spaniards will be on us in a moment! They will 
catch us at the breach !” cried the soldier with impatience. 

‘Surely, there is where they should have found me 
at the first — but now! — lead on! I will follow, as thou 
wilt.” 

A heavy mist had come up from the sea and in its 
obscurity the two gained the breach in safety and from 
thence to the dense hammock was only a short step. 
Here there was temporary safety but they were so near 
that they could hear the dreadful work of death and 
horror going on inside the fortress and the fierce shouts of 
Melendez crying out “Slay, slay and spare not!” rising 
above the groans of dying men and the frenzied shrieks 
of women and children. 

The panting fugitives traversed in safety under cover 
of the mist the open ground between the fort and the 
dense hammock. For a few moments they halted to 
recover breath, still within hearing of the shrieks and 
shouts of those who could not escape. Even then Lau- 
donniere felt impelled to turn back and strike one more 
brave blow for La Caroline. But Bartholomew shook 
his head, saying “It is useless, my captain! The Spanish 
devils have the fort. God only can save our comrades.” 
So shutting his ears with his hands he stumbled on with 
his companion, deeper into the forest. 

Here they found other fugitives, some wounded, all 
terror stricken. 

Laudonniere could command no longer, but his 
advice was to work their way through the marshes to the 
river shore, from whence they might signal their vessels 
at the river mouth and so yet make their escape while 
the Spaniards were engaged in the fort. A portion of 


Story of the Huguenots 


57 


them fearing they would be caught on the naked shore 
preferred to push on to the nearest Indian village, which 
had hitherto been friendly. Laudonniere knew, however, 
that this point would be one of the first visited by the 
pursuers and that it could afford no ultimate rescue or 
defence, so with a few followers he entered the marshes 
and hidden by the hammock from the fort pushed on 
through the tall grass towards the shore. The ground 
was soft and many muddy little creeks intervened. 

Weakened by his recent sickness, into one of these 
the captain fell and up to his neck in water and mud he 
felt as if he must yield to his fate. But Jean Ressegui de 
Chemin and the faithful Bartholomew extricated him 
and stayed by him the rest of the day and through the 
long dreary night which followed. 

Meanwhile two of the soldiers in advance reached 
the shore and swam off towards the vessels, still a mile 
off. 

Fortunately for them, those on board had been 
apprised of the taking of the fort by Jean de Hais, the 
master carpenter, who had slept that night in the shallop 
and when he saw the fort was captured dropped down 
the river to the vessels, which sent out boats to pick up 
the swimmers. The work of picking up the stragglers 
was continued and Laudonniere with his faithful com- 
panions were at last found and rescued. In all eighteen 
or twenty were thus saved, among whom was the cele- 
brated painter Jacques le Moyne de Morgues, some of 
whose illustrations of Florida scenery and native life are 
still preserved in the old chronicles. 

They dared not go near to La Caroline, as the brigan- 
tine which they had repaired before Ribault’s arrival 
and the bark purchased from Admiral Hawkins, were 
neither well enough armed nor manned to face any 
assault from the Spaniards and finding at last that no more 


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Florida Historical Tales 


fugitives were left to rescue, as those who had taken 
refuge with the Indians had been pursued and slain by 
the remorseless foe, the shallop was scuttled and on the 
25th of September, 1565, Laudonniere sailed, abandoning 
forever the last colony of France in Florida. 

After many perils by sea they arrived in England 
where they received generous hospitality and humane 
treatment. 

It will be noted Laudonniere did not desert the 
vicinity of La Caroline until the last moment, for while 
Melendez had attacked the fort only with a land expedi- 
tion the enemy might order up vessels by messengers to 
St. Augustine to cut off their flight and they dared not 
tarry longer, but they learned the most of the particulars 
which marked the fate of the Huguenot colony as the 
most deplorable and atrocious in the annals of American 
history. 


Story of the Huguenots 


59 


CHAPTER VIII. 

THE PRISONERS EXECUTED. 

There are pages in history which are penned with 
trembling, reluctant hand, so full of atrocity and horror 
are they. Yet they must be written, if for naught else 
than for warning to the generations of men to keep 
chains upon the brutal instincts which, let loose without 
restraint, do turn the loveliest spots of earth into fit types 
of hell. 

It was a cruel sanguinary age, when blood flowed 
like water, not only in the new world but in the old. An 
age which prated much of Christianity, yet knew not 
what mercy or justice or charity meant when reasons of 
state intervened. 

It was “vae victis” to the conquered, especially if 
they were alien in both religious creed and race. 

La Caroline was captured as written in the preceding 
section. By the time the sun had dispersed the morning 
mist the last of its Huguenot defenders was either si- 
lenced in death or bound and awaiting the will of the 
conqueror, save those who were being speedily hunted 
down and slain in the adjacent forests. 

The Fleur de Lis of France was replaced with the 
standard of Spain and the name of the fortress changed 
to San Mateo, to commemorate the day on which it was 
taken. The arms of France and Coligny which sur- 
mounted its gateway were torn down and a garrison set 
apart to take charge of the place under the command of 
Gonzalo de Villareal. 

Then came the question of what disposition to make 
of the prisoners. We have seen that twenty escaped 


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with Laudonniere; as many more were overtaken and 
slaughtered in flight. Many had been killed in the 
surprise, but there still remained thirty or forty men to be 
disposed of. 

Melendez was a man of rapid action. Having made 
up his mind he was as cruel and relentless as a tiger in 
carrying out his conclusions. He had mentally decided, 
even before the fall of La Caroline, to destroy the Hugue- 
nots utterly. Short was the shriving he intended for 
them and as terrible as it was short. 

He ordered the prisoners to be brought into the 
central court of the fort. They were all together — men, 
women and children. The former bound, the latter wail- 
ing and sobbing with fear. 

“ Separate the women and children from the men,” 
was his command. 

“The women and children shall be spared.” But 
they were to be kept as slaves. 

“Are there any among ye,” said he to the men, “who 
profess the faith of the Holy Catholic Church?” 

Two of the prisoners answered in the affirmative. He 
turned them over to Father Salvandi, ordering their 
bonds to be removed. Continuing, he said to the rest, 
“Are there any among ye, who, seeing the error of their 
ways, will renounce the heresy of Luther and come into 
the fold of the only true church?” 

A dead silence followed. The captives looked mourn- 
fully at each other and at the Adelantado. But in his 
set, cruel countenance there was no sign of mercy. “ Be 
warned! To those who recant, the church opens her 
arms. To those who will not, death temporal and eternal 
is decreed.” 

Moved with pity, but knowing it was useless to utter 
a word of pleading for mercy to the prisoners on any 
other terms, the priest lifted his crucifix. 


Story of the Huguenots 


61 


The silence was still unbroken and the cloud on 
Melendez' face grew still more sinister. 

‘ Hear ye and now say. Do you not comprehend 
that your lives rest upon your speech? Either ye em- 
brace the safety that the church offers or ye die by the 
halter." 

Then one sturdy soldier took a step in front of his 
fellows and, lifting up his face proudly, said “Pedro de 
Melendez, we are in your power. You are master of our 
fort and our mortal bodies, but in the face of the death 
you threaten, we say we cannot recant our faith in the 
true Church of Christ. We have nought to do with 
Rome. As we have lived in our Lord’s teachings we will 
die faithful to them. We ask your mercy on honorable 
terms only. We cannot take the terms you offer." 

The speaker looked around him at his fellows, and 
over their faces gleamed an answering light. 

“Speaks this man for the rest of ye also?" 

There was a moment’s silence and then a sailor, 
stepping forward, spoke out: “Ay, ay! Captain, what he 
has said we all say. If death’s the word we are ready 
for the end of the voyage, whatever port our compass 
brings us to." 

“Be it even as ye say!" said Melendez, coldly, 
sternly, without softening of accent or show of passion. 
“Two hours hence these men are to be hung without the 
fort. Their punishment shall be a warning to heretics 
and invaders of the realm of Spain in all ages." Turn- 
ing to the newly appointed commander of the fort, he 
said: “See to it that halters are provided and that my 
order is executed." To the priest: “Reverend father, 
you may talk with them and if any are converted give 
them your offices." 

Then arose the cries of women and children as the 
first embraced their husbands for the last time and the 


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latter clung to their father’s hands. So sad, so pitiful 
was the scene it should have moved a heart of stone to 
mercy, but it did not. 

Neither cries nor tears nor pitiful beseeching, on bent 
knees, on their part, swerved Melendez from his purpose 
one jot. Nor would he hear one word of expostulation 
from the priest who would fain have had more time for 
his exhortations, and who was himself shocked at the 
Adelantado’s wholesale and relentless decree. 

Nevertheless, he spared not his exhortations and 
pleadings. In his sight the way of escape was easy. 
But he preached and promised in vain, and perhaps, 
judging from Melendez’ deeds afterwards, had the pris- 
oners then recanted still they would have not been 
spared. As it was, the soldier and sailor had spoken for 
the martyrdom of all and at the appointed time the last 
separation was made between the men doomed to death 
and their companions in so many miseries and misfor- 
tunes, and they were marched forth to a huge live oak 
tree whose gnarled wide spread arms were dangling with 
halters. 

There they perished and there their bodies were left 
hanging until the same tree bore another like ghastly 
crop to mark the vengeance of De Gourgues. 

Under this tree was planted a hewn board on which 
was painted in large characters the following: 

“ These Do Not Suffer as 
Frenchmen but as Heretics 
and Enemies to God.” 


Story of the Huguenots 


63 


CHAPTER IX. 

HOW IT FARED WITH RIBAULT AND HIS FLEET. 

Melendez, having completely accomplished his pur- 
pose so far as La Caroline was concerned, being anxious 
for the safety of his new post at St. Augustine on account 
of the possibility that RibaulPs fleet might have escaped 
the storm and might return to attack it, leaving a strong 
garrison to repair and hold the fort, returned to that 
place with one hundred men. The country, a low pine 
woods region, nearly level, was inundated by the recent 
rains which made the march a very disagreeable one, but 
the return was accomplished more speedily than the ad- 
vance and his appearance at St. Augustine was unexpected. 

The whole colony turned out to hail the conqueror, 
with acclamations of joy and a Te Deum of praise. 

However, in the midst of their rejoicing the two ves- 
sels lying side by side in the harbor caught fire and were 
destroyed, leaving them without any sea going craft. The 
most of their armament, however, had been transferred 
to the land some time before. Attention was turned to 
fortifying the position, as Melendez now saw the safety 
of his colony would depend altogether upon his ability 
to defend himself on land. 

The work and privation brought on much discontent 
and a mutinous disposition which nothing but fear of his 
cruel determination restrained from open revolt. 

In the meantime how fared it with Ribault? The 
last we noted of him, his vessels disappeared from in 
front of St. Augustine before a north-east gale driving to 
the southward. All night long they battled with the 
storm. Vainly they tried to beat off from the shore, but 


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could not secure sea room. The next day found them 
nearing the outward curving point of Cape Carnaveral, 
upon which or near by, finally, the whole squadron went 
ashore. One of the vessels of heavier draught than the 
others struck on a shoal some distance out and went to 
pieces, all the crew except the captain, De la Grange, 
drowning in the breakers. The other vessels were driven 
in upon the beach, and as the wind slackened and the 
tide receded, their crews disembarked safely. 

Some time was passed in securing as much as possi- 
ble from the stranded vessels, in waiting for the tempes- 
tuous weather to abate and in reconnoitering the vicinity. 

Ribault’s men were probably the first white men to 
view that noted arm of the sea called Indian River. 
They found numerous Indian villages whose inhabitants 
lived chiefly on fish and oysters and were not disposed to 
be hostile. But the country in the main was barren, 
except for a few small fertile spots along the river shores. 

For awhile Ribault made efforts to re-launch two or 
three of his vessels which were not so much injured as 
the rest, but was finally compelled to give up that idea 
in despair. 

Not knowing the fate that had befallen La Caroline, 
it w*as finally decided to march northward and regain 
that point. Nowhere could they find the connection of 
the long narrow peninsula with the mainland and the 
hard, smooth beach offered them an easy road which 
they accordingly took. 

On the second day afterward the advance guard 
reached Mosquito Inlet. Near this was the usual village 
of fishing Indians, who ferried them over the inlet in 
their dug outs; a process which required considerable 
time and resulted in dividing the force into detachments. 

Owing to the fate vhich finally befell the great 
majority of these men, few records of their discoveries 


Story of the Huguenots 


65 


remain and we are left chiefly to conjecture in what condi- 
tion the shores of the Lagoon, the Hillsboro' and the 
Halifax were as to occupancy by the aborigines who 
were numerous but not warlike. 

Ribault's command still numbered over five hundred 
men and much of their subsistence had to be obtained 
from the natural resources of the country; sea clams, 
fish and game constituting the available supplies. 

They suffered most from thirst, as nowhere in this 
shore region of sand dunes are there streams, pools or 
springs of fresh water; only bear wallows, as they are called 
and shallow wells at the Indian villages. 

The latter part of the march was the worst in respect 
to food; the upper portion of the Halifax, the creeks and 
marshes lying between it and the Matanzas being devoid 
of oysters.. It was, therefore, worn out with privation 
and dispirited by misfortune that the advance division 
of two hundred reached Matanzas Inlet which barred 
their futher progress. 

It was a weary and forlorn body of men that gath- 
ered on the south side of Matanzas Inlet and gazed across 
its narrow channel at the south point of Anastasia Island. 

Its waters were too deep to wade. Sharks abounded 
and the tide currents in and out made it dangerous even 
for strong swimmers to assay. There were no boats or 
canoes available. 

They did not know of the possibility of making their 
way across Matanzas neck to the mainland, and thence 
through the pine woods at the rear of St. Augustine on 
to La Caroline. 

They were spirit broken, hopeless, except the possi- 
bility of rejoining their comrades, of whose fate it was 
impossible for them to know anything. 

Their only chance, they thought, was to regain the 


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shelter of the fort and perhaps succeed in devising some 
means of escape from this land which, though not inhos- 
pitable by nature generally, had, in their case, been singu- 
larly full of calamity to them. They little knew that 
beyond the hummock lined shores across the strait, be- 
yond the smiling waters of the Matanzas, winding in 
graceful curves between woods and marshes, a human 
tiger was already preparing to bathe himself in their 
blood. Surely had they known then, wh'at they were to 
know soon, with time to measure their deadly peril and 
the merciless cruelty of Melendez, even then with but 
one stout hearted leader they might have turned the 
scales in their favor and meted out to the Spaniards the 
justice they deserved. 

But it was not to be. Fate was against them. Prov- 
idence had forgotten them and already their hours were 
numbered almost to a man. 

The vine clad hills of France were never more to 
greet their homesick vision, at least as mortal men. 
Worn out with marching in the hot September sun over 
the beach sands; strangely red as if already stained with 
blood, with the glaring sea on one side and high sand 
banks covered with an almost impenetrable jungle of 
saw palmetto on the other, they made their bivouac fires; 
cooked oysters, clams, fish or such other provender as 
their scanty stores afforded; cut palmetto leaves for beds 
and slept the sleep of exhaustion. That night Melendez 
learned from Indians that white men had reached Ma- 
tanzas coming from the southward. He knew they were 
some of Ribault’s men and rightly conjectured their 
condition. 

He did not know, however, whether the whole of 
Ribault’s force was there or whether they might not be 
divided so as to approach his settlement in front and 
rear. He did not dare to draw his whole force from St. 


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67 


Augustine, so chose sixty of his best armed soldiers and 
placing them on board batteaus made his way rapidly 
down the Matanzas. He was well aware that if the 
Huguenots were disposed to fight and could cross the 
inlet, he could not oppose his sixty to their five hundred, 
but with the advantage of position on his side he ex- 
pected to employ, if necessary, such arts of craft and 
dissimulation, deception and treachery, as would be nec- 
essary to make up for the difference in numbers. 

His sagacity . and courage as a soldier certainly 
almost equalled his brutality and remorseless cruelty as 
a man. 


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CHAPTER X. 

THE FATE OF THE SIEUR DE LA GRANGE AND THE 
FIRST DETACHMENT AT MATANZAS INLET. 

Melendez, having loaded his batteaus with soldiers 
chosen for determined and ferocious character, from all 
his garrison, especially for this undertaking — one he had 
resolved should be at least equally as terror striking to 
all enemies of Spain as the massacre at La Caroline — 
left St. Augustine long before daylight. 

The boats were propelled by skilled oarsmen and 
beside the men, contained the necessary provisions for a 
halt at Matanzas, which might be more or less prolonged 
by events not to be calculated beforehand. 

The weather had at last subsided into gentleness and 
cloudlessness, forming a great contrast to its late turbu- 
lence and discomfort. 

The air was balmy with the odors of flowers and 
spicy woods, with just enough of the sea flavor in it to 
make it perfection. The stars shone upon the winding 
waters of the serene river, their reflection rivalled in 
brilliancy by the phosphorescent gleams, evoked by 
swiftly plied oars and trailing wakes, as they sped on, 
bound on an errand of blood and treachery so horrible, 
not all these waters nor those of the near-by sea can 
wash the stains away in all the ages to come. 

Occasionally, in the forepart of the voyage, some boat 
crew chanted a rude war song or even hymn, but as the 
morning sun began to streak the eastern sky with red 
and gold, silence fell upon them all. 

Then sunrise came and with it the full blaze of a 


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69 


beautiful October day. Stealing along the shores of 
Anastasia Island, Melendez sought a cove behind a ham- 
mock grove close to the inlet and disembarked his men. 
Here a repast was served to all and then their leader, 
accompanied by a few soldiers, went forward to recon- 
noitre. Climbing a live oak tree upon a shell mound 
near the verge of the sand point which formed the south 
end of Anastasia Island, Melendez concealed, had a full 
view of the opposite shore of the narrow strait and saw 
the Frenchmen attempting to build a raft with which to 
cross, but for which purpose there was little material 
suitable to be found. By his count there could not be 
more than two hundred of them. But this was too large 
a number to permit landing in an armed body, so taking 
the initiative, with a diabolical plan prompted by the 
evidently disheartened condition of the French, he de- 
scended the tree, emerged from the thick underbrush 
which concealed his force and advanced boldly alone to 
the shore, signaling for a conference. 

After a brief consultation among the French, a bold 
Gascon, who was a good swimmer, sprang into the water 
and swam across the strait, which was not more than an 
hundred yards in width. 

After the military salute had been exhanged, Me- 
lendez demanded: “Who are the people whom I see on 
the other side?” “ We are Frenchmen who have suffered 
shipwreck.” 

“What Frenchmen?” 

“The people of M. Ribault, Captain General of Flor- 
ida, commissioned by the King of France.” 

“Neither France nor Frenchmen have a right to 
Florida. I, Pedro Melendez de Avila, am Adelantado of 
all Florida and hold it in behalf of Philip, King of Spain. 
Go back to your commander and say to him that I am 
here with my army to prevent any invasion of this land 
and punish the invaders.” 


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The Gascon returned and delivered the words of 
Melendez to his disheartened and bewildered companions. 

What should they do? It was true that but one man 
showed himself to bar their passage of the strait, but 
scouts had caught sight of one of the batteaus and even 
as they considered, the flag of Spain was displayed and 
they believed Melendez’ statement. 

Wretched with privation and broken in spirit, even 
those heretofore the bravest were anxious to obtain any 
terms which might give them a chance for their lives 
and ultimate return to France; so the Gascon was per- 
suaded to return and ask safe conduct for four officers, to 
be taken across in the batteau, to negotiate terms. 

To this consent was readily given and the Sieur de la 
Grange and three others were ferried over under a flag of 
truce. Melendez’ men were so disposed, under cover of 
the forest, that the French officers could not make out 
their number when they were brought to the camp at the 
cove. Six well armed men only constituted the immedi- 
ate guard of the general, while the boatmen attended the 
camp fire and preparations for the noonday meal, pur- 
posely made as ostentatious as possible. 

Their leader told the story of their mishaps, ship- 
wreck and sufferings, hoping to arouse a feeling of hu- 
manity, and asked assistance to reach La Caroline from 
whence they hoped to return to France and leave Florida 
to his peaceful possession. 

To this Melendez replied: “Senor, I have made my- 
self master of your fort; I have slain the garrison, spar- 
ing the women, the children and such as were Catholics 
or abjured their heresy, and have the fort well garri- 
soned. You cannot go there.” Had a thunderbolt fallen 
at their feet they could not have been more surprised, 
and noting a look of doubt after rallying from the first 
shock Melendez continued: “If you doubt, or hope it is 


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71 


not true, I will soon convince you. I have brought hither 
two soldiers whom because they claimed to be Catholics 
I spared. You will doubtless know them. After you 
have dined you shall hear the truth from their lips as 
freely as you will.” 

He then retired, ordering them to be served. They 
fell to it like famished men — as, indeed, they were — after 
which the two captives were allowed to communicate 
with them and freely tell the cruel history of La Caro- 
line. Nothing was concealed. Melendez’ policy was to 
render them abject with fear — and he succeeded. 

After an hour’s absence he returned. “ Are you sat- 
isfied,” he asked, “of the truth of what I told you?” 

Then the Sieur answered: “ We cannot doubt that it 
is even so. But this does not lesson our claim upon your 
humanity as men who have been deprived of all other 
hope. There is peace between France and Spain, alliance 
between our sovereigns. We will be glad to leave you in 
undisputed possession of this country. Give us but 
assistance to leave it and henceforth there will be none to 
dispute your claims. 

“If you were not heretics and I had the ships it 
might be so, but it cannot be,” was the stern answer. “ I 
have sworn to extirpate heresy wherever I find it. As 
Catholics you might have claims upon me, but you are 
not.” 

“Nevertheless we are men, human, made equally in 
the image of God and, if not at the same altar, serve 
Him also. Assist us to leave this country — this is all we 
demand.” 

“Demand nothing of me. Yield yourselves at dis- 
cretion. Deliver up your arms and ensigns and I will do 
with you as God shall inspire me. Consent to these 
terms or do what pleases you. I promise you neither 


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truce nor friendship. Go and report to your companions 
and give me their answer.” 

The four then told him, that if he would assure them 
their lives, they would give a ransom of twenty thousand 
ducats for the whole company. 

The answer was characteristic of this abnormal fan- 
atic, the cruel, relentless, unpurchasable human tiger: 

“Though but a poor soldier I am not capable of being 
bought. If I am moved to do an act of grace it will not 
be your money that will move me to it. I tell you as a 
soldier and an officer holding a high commission from 
my King, though the heavens and the earth mingle I 
change no resolution I have made. Unconditional sur- 
render, first of your arms and then of yourselves, is what 
I demand. Time passes. The boat is waiting, go.” 

It will scarcely be thought credible that men yet 
having arms, power to use them and numbers sufficient 
to make at least a respectable resistance, would listen to 
such demands. 

But they did, even after a full report had been made. 
Some were simply reduced to apathy by despair. Others 
argued that it was the vigorous resistance made by a 
gallant few of La Caroline’s garrison that had incensed 
him to destroy them so mercilessly. “It is likely,” said 
they, “that if we surrender peaceably he will give us our 
lives.” 

But little time was required to determine their sub- 
mission. The returning batteau was loaded with the four 
officers, arquebuses, pistols, swords, bucklers, their whole 
complement of munitions and a complete surrender was 
tendered. 

The Frenchmen thus disarmed were brought over 
and with a refinement of cruelty scarcely comprehensible 
were given something to eat. After this they were 
asked if any among them were Catholics, for the one 


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73 


thing on earth this man feared was the church, nor that 
to any greater extent than to yield to its imperative 
demand for protection to its adherents. 

It is said there were but eight amongst them who 
claimed they were Catholics. These were set apart to 
be conveyed to St. Augustine. The rest were then bound 
and driven in squads of six to a small glade away from 
the camp and as they arrived were set upon their knees 
and shot or stabbed, each party not knowing the fate of 
the preceding until the last moment. 

What horrors occurred can not be imagined. But 
neither prayers, entreaties, groans, nor the red tide of 
human blood poured out upon the thirsty sands, turned 
the monsters from their work. Those who did it stripped 
the slain and acquired much booty from the bodies of 
the dead, over which was thrown a covering of loose sand 
and leaves; and so perished miserably the first detach- 
ment of Ribault’s men at the place which henceforth 
bore the name of Matanzas or “the place of slaughter.” 


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CHAPTER XI. 

RIBAULT AT MATANZAS. 

Melendez hastened back early the next morning to 
St. Augustine with the few wretched men spared from 
the massacre. 

He was welcomed as a conquering hero, with all the 
pomp and display that was possible, even including a Te 
Deum and church services, so low had fallen the stand- 
ard of Christianity in that dark age of murder and ra- 
pine, especially amongst the Spanish people, for while 
other nations of Europe had in a measure become inocu- 
lated with the spirit of bloodshed, and wars convulsed all 
Christendom, there was amongst the rest some humanity 
remaining to modify brutality. 

Scarcely, however, had his soldiers cleaned their 
garments and their weapons from the blood of the slaugh- 
tered Frenchmen, when the watchman left at Matanzas 
sent word that a large body of Ribault’s men had con- 
gregated in the same spot on the south side of the inlet, 
and were making preparations to cross, or at least were 
trying to, by continuing the building of the raft com- 
menced by the preceding body. 

The news created great excitement amongst the 
whole garrison, who were clamorous this time to accom- 
pany Melendez, being incited thereto by the display of 
the spoils brought home from the late massacre, and their 
now confident belief in the invincibility, and power to 
secure certain triumph of their leader. 

Believing that the main body of Ribault’s men were 
at last in his toils, Melendez selected one hundred and 
fifty men, the flower of his force, and embarked them as 


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75 


before in batteaus and Indian pirogues or large canoes 
hewn from logs, and retraced his way to Matanazas. 

The preparations and the embarking of this large 
body delayed the expedition so that it was nearly night- 
fall ere he reached that vicinity. 

As they approached this point many zapotes, or 
southern vultures, were either wheeling in the sky over- 
head or darkened the dead limbs of trees with their ill- 
omened plumage. As his eyes rested on them the sombre 
face of the Adelantado grew darker and more sinister. 
“See, Ochoa, those birds are hungry for more French- 
men! By the mass! they shall have another feast!” 

It was not Melendez’ intention to alarm the French 
until the proper moment, so he camped on shore where 
his force would not be observed for the night, but before 
dawn had them disposed at the edge of the scrubby 
growth near the inlet. 

With the dawn came the discovery on the part of the 
French of the Spaniards, drawn up in order of battle on 
the opposite side. Their drums sounded the alarm. 

The royal standard of France was unfurled and the 
troops gathered in martial array. Ribault, although sick 
at heart with the demoralization of his forces from want, 
hardship and homesickness, still observed military 
externals. 

Melendez, seeing this display of determination, 
ordered his people to breakfast as if it concerned him not, 
and while the preparations were going on, promenaded 
the shore of the inlet with a few of his officers, as indif- 
ferently as if there were no opposing array on the other 
side. 

Then the commander of the Huguenots displayed a 
flag of truce and the trumpets sounded a parley. 

By the time breakfast was over the tide had so far 
run out that one of the French captives and a soldier of 


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Ribault could wade out within conversing distance of 
each^other. The latter requested that some one might be 
sent over with a boat to carry a herald across the strait 
for a conference. 

The boat was sent over and carried back one of 
Ribault’s officers. This man was totally ignorant of what 
had befallen the first detachment. He related briefly 
the desires of his commander which were to reach the 
fortress of La Caroline, praying the assistance of the 
Spaniards to enable him to do so, promising peace and 
amity and to leave the country as soon as possible. 

In answer to questions the envoy told of the wreck of 
the squadron, and gave the number of men left as yet 
three hundred and fifty, amongst whom were gentlemen 
of France well able to reward assistance. 

Melendez heard him through without betraying by 
his looks any signs of hostility or ill will. 

He must first get his enemies into his power. 

“I will send over a boat with a surety of safe conduct 
to M. Ribault and such officers as he may select to ac- 
company him, to confer with me as to what may be done 
to meet his wishes, with the privilege of returning at his 
leisure to his own men/’ 

Ribault crossed the strait accompanied by eight of 
his officers. They were courteously received by the 
Adelantado and a collation served. Disarmed by this 
treatment, the frank sailor-soldier told Melendez all the 
recent events and disasters that had befallen them. At 
times, he was troubled by noting on the persons of Melen- 
dez’ companions, ornaments, swords and bucklers, which 
he recognized as belonging to some of his late compan- 
ions and finally hearing of the capture of La Caroline 
and of the advance division, was aghast at these circum- 
stances which showed how completely his first hopes 
were nullified. Finally he said; “Senor, I cannot be- 


Story of the Huguenots 


77 


lieve that you will serve us evilly. Our kings are friends 
and brothers in peace with each other; we wish only 
to return to our own country. We will leave this to 
you. Give us the opportunity and we will give our parole 
of honor on all that is sacred to all of us, that never again 
will any of us serve against you or your followers.” 

To these words Melendez replied as he had done to 
the leaders of the first detachment, with a demand for 
their unconditional surrender, but by implication at 
least, held out the hope of mercy. 

No argument or persuasion could induce him to do 
more. It so happened that Alphonse D’ Erlach was one 
of the officers who accompanied Ribault. It also hap- 
pened that one of those spared from the massacre because 
he was a Catholic was a soldier from Lorraine and spoke 
a dialect that none of the Spaniards understood, but 
D’ Erlach did. The man had served under him and was 
attached to him. In serving the collation, this soldier 
had an opportunity to speak to him in the proffering 
of victuals and said in his patois, as if he had naturally 
dropped into it, “Monsieur, laugh as I hand this bread to 
you, as if I joked; but take heed! Trust not this man. 
He means blood. There, where the vultures are, lie our 
dead comrades.” So saying he broke one of the ship 
biscuits and out of it a worm fell. 

Then D’ Erlach slapped him on the shoulder with the 
open palm and laughing, said “Thou doest well to serve 
bread and meat together.” 


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CHAPTER XII. 

D’ERLACH’S WARNING TO RIB AULT— NEGOTIATIONS 
FOR SURRENDER. 

D’Erlach’s keen eye had noted, even more closely 
than Ribault, the indications presented by the trophies 
of the late massacre, in the hands or on the persons of a 
number of those in the Spanish force by which they were 
surrounded. With suspicions made still more active by 
the Lorrainer’s words, he studied closely the dark face of 
the Adelantado, and mentally concluded there was un- 
limited treachery and ferocity in the soul of the Astur- 
ian. For himself he decided that he would not trust to 
the mercy of Melendez, at least without a pledge, and 
when Ribault asked for his advice he said: 

“ Before any arrangement is made, looking towards 
surrender, let a council of all our force be called.” 

Ribault then informed Melendez that he had with 
him many gentlemen of family and that he could not de- 
cide without consulting them. He therefore asked per- 
mission to return to his camp for that purpose. Consent 
was given to this — the Spanish general adding a word as 
to the advisablity of throwing themselves, without un- 
necessary trouble or delay, upon his mercy, he being dis- 
posed by his conference with M. Ribault to devise some 
plan whereby the desires of the French to leave the 
country could be accomplished. 

With this the general of the French recrossed the 
strait accompanied by D’Erlach, Ottigny and the rest. 

The buglers sounded the call to the standard, and 
with the declining sun pouring the splendor of its rays 
upon the surrounding waters and the sand beach on the 


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79 


south side of the inlet, the Huguenots gathered in a coun- 
cil of war decisive of their own fate, in full view of the 
Spanish forces on the opposite side and almost within 
hearing. 

Ribault opened the consultation by saying: 

“ Brothers and comrades all, no matter what the dis- 
tinctions of rank may be, you have yourselves seen, 
across these narrow waters, how the general of the Span- 
iards received us. But you could not know what passed 
between us nor is it, perhaps, necessary to multiply 
words. It all comes to this: he demands our uncondi- 
tional surrender, proffering to do what he can to enable 
us to leave the country. In what way or when, he says 
not. 

“ I cannot conceal from you that he has captured La 
Caroline and slain most of the garrison.” (Melendez did 
not tell him of the escape of Laudonniere. ) “In proof of 
which I have seen and conversed with two of your for- 
mer comrades who solemnly affirm the truth of his 
declaration. 

“He has also captured the advance detachment 
which reached this point under the Sieur de la Grange a 
week ago, the most of whom, because they resisted, per- 
ished. This I am convinced will be our fate, if we do not 
placate him.” 

Then D’ Erlach arose from the fragment of coquina 
rock upon which he had been sitting and earnestly en- 
treated Ribault and all present not to place themselves 
in the power of the treacherous Spaniard, without at least, 
a solemn surety that they should not be treated as beasts 
fit only for slaughter, but as men and soldiers. 

He told them of the garments, swords and bucklers 
which he had seen among their enemies, evidently taken 
from their slaughtered comrades. He could not give his 
informant’s name for fear it would cost that one’s life, 


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but stated that he had been informed De la Grange and 
his detachment had been basely, cruelly slaughtered, as 
their comrades at La Caroline had been also. 

“Will you trust the mercy of such a man? Look you 
at the vultures yonder. They circle above the same 
slaughter pen to which this human tiger would lead you 
all! Yea, and if he should spare your lives, there is 
naught but torture and slavery before you. For one, I 
say, better die sword in hand in fair battle than let the 
assassin’s dagger have an easy, certain mark. True, it 
seems there is but little choice. There is no outlet this 
way for us save the gate of death. But if we cannot cross 
this strait in the face of our enemy neither can he cross 
to this side without our consent as long as we have arms 
and will to use them. 

“My good sword has temper to it yet, and I will not 
let it leave my hand without conditions.” So spoke the 
gallant young Frenchman, once a guardsman at the 
court. Such, too, was the resolution quickened in the 
hearts of many of his hearers. But others, like Ribault, 
were hopeful that Melendez would show them clemency, 
and so the camp was divided. Chevalier D’Ottigny 
finally proposed a compromise plan. This was to offer 
ransom and the cost of transportation to France, or if 
Melendez would accept their aid there were many who 
would remain with him to help colonize and hold the 
country— not knowing that the other detachment had 
unavailingly made similar propositions. 

To this even D’Erlach consented, with but little idea, 
however, that the proposition would be accepted. 

Again Ribault crossed to the landing to meet Melen- 
dez. 

“Part of my people only are willing to surrender at 
discretion, but all will give up their arms and subject 
themselves to your orders, if you will take ransom for 


Story of the Huguenots 


81 


them. I am desired to offer you thirty thousand ducats 
and the proffer of service on the part of many of them if 
you will take them, to hold and colonize this land.” 

For a moment Melendez’ face assumed a cruel, fierce 
look and he seemed about to burst out into a blaze of 
wrath, but, after a momentary pause, a pleasanter ex- 
pression took its place. In that moment he determined 
to send back Ribault to his camp inspired with false 
hopes. 

“ Understand me, Senor! I cannot change the cartel, 
but this I will say; the ransom will satisfy my soldiers 
instead of plunder, and I shall be able to make your 
assistance, while awaiting transportation home, of use to 
me.” 

It was arranged at last that in the morning Ribault 
was to make a final report. As the shades of night fell, 
the opposing campfires glared at each other from the two 
sides of the Inlet. Sentinels were set on each shore. 
Both parties made their evening meal, after which an 
animated discussion took place in the Huguenot camp as 
to the acceptance of the proposition. Ribault, lured on 
by the remembrance of the Adelantado’s courtesies to 
him, held that the proposition to ransom was definitely 
accepted and that therefore in the morning Melendez 
should be notified of their intention to surrender that he 
might direct its manner. 

Ribault’s argument in favor of trusting Melendez 
and surrendering, was supported by Ottigny and others, 
but was stoutly contested by D’Erlach, Francis La Caille, 
Pierre Rotrou and Robert D’Alembert. 

There had been much friction between D’Erlach and 
his commander before, the daring and courageous Chev- 
alier having time and again urged Ribault to more 
decisive and spirited action, willing, as he phrased it, “To 
loose all or win all upon one throw;” but as yet he had 
not set himself so openly in opposition. 


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Now, however, he felt that a decisive hour had come. 
He knew, that discouraged with hardships which they 
had ill endured; with little chance of relief coming in 
any shape; a large portion of the little army was dis- 
posed to give up the struggle on almost any terms. For 
himself, he could see nothing hopeful in the talk of 
Melendez; no definite promises or pledges, only the desire 
to get the French completely in his power to do with 
them as he pleased. With all due deference to the 
unfortunate commander he addressed the council as 
follows: 

“ Is it not enough, my comrades, that this man, who 
has slaughtered our brethren, will make no promise of 
amity? Will give no pledge of safety even to our lives 
alone? As for me, I would sooner trust the incarnate 
fiend himself than this Melendez. He but aims to get 
us in his power and then destroy us utterly. 

“ The savage has not a heart so utterly stony as that 
of this Spaniard! He hath fed on blood until he craves 
it. Mark this! You go to your deaths when you go to 
him. The tiger invites you to a banquet where the guest 
brings the repast. 

“Surely we are yet strong enough, if we use our 
weapons, to make him concede by force what he will not 
otherwise. We are three hundred and fifty soldiers — 
why even treat with this cut throat? Why cross this 
strait at all? 

“We still have two courses open to us. We can 
select some remote, defensible point for settlement and 
remain as long in the land as we desire; or we can retire 
to where our grounded vessels are, repair or build one, 
and yet get back to France. I for one will not surrender 
unless he gives us honorable terms!” 

Then Ribault, broken in spirit, utterly exhausted by 
his struggle with fate, recapitulated his persuasion that 


Story of the Huguenots 


83 


Melendez would be merciful; that he would deal in good 
faith with them, and finally said: 

“Comrades, I command no longer. To-morrow, for 
myself and those who have decided to do likewise, I 
shall make a surrender upon the terms of the Adelan- 
tado; but I absolve ye all from any obligation to follow 
me in so doing. 

“Monsieur D’Erlach and you who have protested 
against surrender, you are at liberty to refuse, and to do 
as you may deem fit. Whatever agreement I may con- 
sent to, shall not include those who do not accede to it. 
But before we part, and it is likely to be forever, so far 
as this life is concerned, for it does seem as if in neither 
course is there much to hope for that may bring us 
together in peace and safety again, let me say, that in 
whatsoever I have done or may do, there is no other mo- 
tive than for our mutual good and to relieve our common 
perils. Circumstances, yea, the very elements, have been 
against me, and disaster beyond human power to prevent, 
in the will of Providence, has overruled my will.” 

He paused a moment and looking around the circle 
with a lingering glance into each one’s face, he placed his 
hand upon his bosom and pathetically finished: 

“Do you know, my comrades, that the surrender 
I am forced to make breaks my heart? For myself, I 
expect nothing. I shall never see fair France again. If it 
be God’s will, so be it! But perhaps for you 1 may gain 
some easing of your difficulties, some chance of final 
return. ’Tis late; you are dismissed. God care for us all 
tomorrow!” 

So saying, he retired to his rude quarters and cast 
himself down upon his couch of leaves to catch a fevered 
repose. 

Half to himself D’Erlach murmured as he departed, 
in Latin, for he was gentle born and bred, “ Quern Deus 


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vult perdere prius dementat! Poor man. He goes to the 
sacrifice.” 

He then conferred briefly with those of the same 
opinion with him, that it were better far to keep out of 
the hands of the Spaniard and trust themselves entirely 
to fortune and the savages, bidding them to beseech 
their followers not to go with Ribault to certain destruc- 
tion, but to follow him back to Canaveral, where many 
supplies could yet be obtained from the stranded vessels, 
through whose proper use they might even yet make 
good their escape or hold their own indefinitely. 

Heated with the discussion, but little of which have 
we here chronicled, D’Erlach, carrying his morion in his 
hand, wandered with Pierre Rotrou down the beach 
towards the sea, to cool himself and watch the Spaniard 
camp upon the other shore. 

There were still a few camp fires blazing, from 
around which came occasional bursts of laughter, the 
oaths of gamblers or snatches of song. The gaiety of the 
one camp, and the sullen, despairing somberness of the 
other, grated harshly on his spirit, and he moodily con- 
versed with his companion as they slowly paced the 
sands, smooth and firm with the recent wash of the tide. 

A gentle surf broke on the shore in luminous foam; 
jelly fish sparkled in the^waters; night birds flitted to 
and fro with strange shrill cries; small fish sprang like 
birds out of the water as with a rush, sharks, porpoises 
or other predatory fish dashed in amongst them. After 
a little while, red coals only were left of the campfires, 
and stars reflected from the smooth bosoms of the coves. 

“Truly, Nature cares but little or naught at all for 
any man, Rotrou, good or bad, and it doth seem to me, 
God scarcely any more. Look you! Over there the 
murderers of our comrades sleep like babes without 
a feather weight upon their consciences, or a shadow of 


Story of the Huguenots 


85 


stain upon their souls. To-morrow, they will thirst to 
redden their arms in blood to their elbows and if Ribault 
changes not his mind they surely will do so.” D’Erlach 
paused and looked toward the water. A faint splashing 
sound caught his ear. 

“ Look, Rotrou, what makes that wake of light in the 
water off yonder little point?” 

“ Quietly, Chevalier! It is not made by any fish, nor 
is it yet a boat. A man swims toward this shore.” 

It was only a few paces off, and with no noise they 
traversed the distance. As they approached the point 
the splashing, gentle as it was, ceased entirely, and after 
a moment almost in a whisper, in French, was heard a 
voice saying: 

“lama friend, Antoine Uhlrich of Lorraine, and seek 
the Chevalier D’ Erlach.” 

“Advance, friend, I am he whom you seek.” — to 
Rotrou — “ This is the man who warned me yesterday” — 
“What would you?” 

“ I, oh my Captain! I come to warn you again. Nay, 
more, to cast my lot with you for I am triste with hor- 
rors! I cannot live longer in hell!” 

This he said standing on the edge of the beach with 
the water dripping from his naked body, and the bundle 
of clothes which he had pushed before him in swimming. 

D’ Erlach immediately saw that the man’s arrival 
was opportune and on that account as well as meeting 
one who sought at the risk of his own life to aid him to 
save his, gave the man welcome and bade him put on his 
clothes and follow to his tent. Passing the sentinel they 
reached their headquarters, a sheet of sail-cloth spread 
over poles, and there, in low tones, Antoine Uhlrich told 
such a tale of horror as they had never listened to before, 
describing faithfully the two massacres, concluding 
with, “Mon Dieu, the cries of those poor women and 


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children at the fort— their pitiful begging and pleading 
—still ring in my ears, and will forever. Poor souls, 
better they too had died with those for whose lives they 
prayed in vain! And then to see the horrors of that 
slaughter-pen over there, where died the Sieur de la 
Grange and all his men, save a few who are now Melen- 
dez' slaves and know not any day what torture he may 
mete to them, should they but make a misstep or speak 
one word wrong. 

“And see! not because any understood my speech 
but you, for none did, a cut throat Biscayan, this very 
evening nearly broke my head with the pommel of his 
dagger, because I had made sport of their wormy bread 
and told me that I, to-morrow, should be killed with all 
my French friends, for so had he heard Melendez swear 
by the mass. Thou knowest I cared little for either 
Luther or the Pope in the old days in France, not know- 
ing the difference, and so sought only to save my life by 
abjuring. But sure am I, if they have souls I have none 
and I would live and die with men and not such beasts!” 

There was in the man’s manner not onlv evidence of 
intense excitement, as he recited his story, but a fever- 
ishness arising from the blow upon his head which, to 
D’Erlach’s mind, foretold a period of mental disorder 
near at hand; so he briefly drew from him information 
which confirmed his belief that Melendez did not intend 
to show any mercy to those who might surrender, and 
also, that he was in no condition, as to present force, to 
assault or follow them should the French refuse to yield 
up their arms. 

After having had wet bandages placed on his head, 
Uhlrich, in a corner of the tent was told to rest in peace, 
for that under no consideration should he be given up to 
the Spaniards, and should share with them their future 
fortunes and misfortunes. 


Story of the Huguenots 


87 


Rotrou and D'Erlach, it is needless to say, were 
much saddened and dispirited by the recalling of the 
miserable fates of their late comrades and the almost 
hopeless condition in which they themselves were placed; 
but they were brave men and resolutely looking the cir- 
cumstances in the face, the plan of falling back to Can- 
averal, as outlined before, was more strongly endorsed 
than ever as the best course to follow. 

Rising, D’Erlach said to the Breton: “In the morn- 
ing, a few hours hence, Captain, see La.Caille, D'Alem- 
bert and the others and tell them all you have heard from 
this poor fellow, whose words I believe are truth. Bid 
them change not their resolution, nor let Ribault and 
those who go with him, surrender aught except what 
is upon their persons. Whenever the surrender of any 
portion of the force is decided upon, let such exchanges 
of arquebuses and other weapons be made as will leave 
us the better ones. Bullet pouches and powder flasks 
also should be emptied, so that ours may be well sup- 
plied, for I foresee we shall need all our munitions in the 
future. Find out also how many are determined to go, 
forgetting not to especially persuade the best of the sol- 
diers if possible to stay with us. My company and yours 
I doubt not will not leave us. 

“ Would to God, we had the means to cross this strait 
and that our men could be braced up to make one brave 
struggle for victory and vengeance! We could reverse 
upon these Spaniards the calamities and cruelties they 
have inflicted upon us. We are more than two to one in 
numbers and enfeebled although many are and worn out, 
were we once on the other shore, arms in hand, Melen- 
dez would be lucky indeed to escape the fate of our com- 
rades. But go you to rest and I will make the rounds." 

As anticipated, by morning, Uhlrich was delirious 
with fever and not capable of rational conversation. He 


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was not violent, but occasionally he would half spring to 
his feet, and with a countenance full of horror, speak 
brokenly of some incident of the massacre at the fort — 
“Ha!” he exclaimed in one of these fits, “Well, struck, 
Captain De la Vigne! You made one of those Asturian 
dogs bite the dust! But there! You are down! Your 
sword broke on that cursed pike handle — the brutal 
wretches — to slay a fallen man! And there goes Lau- 
donniere with Bartholomew to the breach — I cannot get 
there”* — then he would sink back to lie faint and still. 

Seeing his condition, D’Erlach gave up his hope of 
getting Ribault to interview him so that as a result, it 
might change the plan of surrender, and, cooling the 
wounded man’s head with fresh wet bandages, he ate his 
frugal breakfast with Rotrou and hastened to the com- 
mander’s tent, to repeat to him Uhlrich’s story and urge 
him not to surrender. 

To this Ribault answered: “Monsieur D’Erlach, I 
do not doubt that you are prompted by sincere friend- 
ship, but I cannot believe every crazy tale that is told. 
This man, you tell me, is even now lying in your tent out 
of his mind. What he says, therefore, cannot be relied 
on. . However, I will have the bugler call a parley and 
see if better terms may not be obtained from Melendez.” 

So saying, he called for Ernest D’Erlach, the brother 
of the Chevalier, a handsome, gallant youth, not yet 
sobered out of boyishness, but a great favorite with the 
General, who came quickly into the tent saluting both 
courteously. 

My son, take with you one of the buglers; go down 
to the shore and have him blow a call for a parley as 
agreed upon. Wait there until you get an answer and 
bring it to me.” 

The youth, with a smile, and a word for his brother, 
hastened away and Ribault continued: 


Story of the Huguenots 


89 


“You have younger years, Chevalier, and therefore 
stronger hope. There was a time when I could share the 
latter but it has passed with the wreck of our squadron and 
the destruction of La Caroline. There are left but few 
with us who are capable of making a brave defence of 
even their lives. I see no other way save to win some 
concessions from Melendez for them and end a useless 
struggle by surrender, if he grants any.” 

“Then, General, I have two favors to ask of you; one 
is that you will not take my brother with you, but send 
him to me at the last, and the other, that the surrender 
be deferred at least until to-morrow, with liberty of 
action for those who are not willing to trust the Spaniards, 
to take steps to save themselves as they may deem best.” 

“Both are granted freely. And more, Monsieur 
D’Erlach, while it scarcely seems possible for you to 
ever make your escape to France, it may be so, God 
grant it! and if you should, will you do me a favor?” 

“Surely!” was the emphatic response. 

“There is in Rochelle — ah me! the fairest city of fair 
France — with Master Keppel the minister, my daughter, 
Jeanne Ribault. Take her this seal ring and this script 
that I have written to tell her where she may find the 
remnant of her father’s fortune, if it should be the will of 
God that I meet her not again. I charge you to forget 
not, that she is the daughter of your old commander and 
comrade in arms, who places trust in your honor as a 
gentleman. Say to her, that her father, in his hardest 
straits, and if it be to end speedily, as it may, thought of 
her last next to his God and in dying prayed that she 
might be blessed with peace and happiness.” 

As he finished, the notes of the bugle rose clear and 
sweet above the monotone of the surf, echoing far over 
the inner river — repeated three times. Then came the 
answer from the Spanish side. In the melodious notes 
there were no undertones to indicate cold despair or 
black-hearted treachery, but they called to both spirits 
of hell and heaven. 


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CHAPTER XIII 

THE SECOND SLAUGHTER AT MATANZAS— DEATH OF 
RIBAULT. 

In response to the call for a parley, Melendez sent 
the boat over with Martin D'Ochoa under a flag of truce, 
as previously agreed upon. He was conducted to Ri- 
bault's tent and there informed that if Melendez desired 
the surrender of the Huguenots, he must modify his 
demands. “Tell him, Senor D’Ochoa, that I ask but little 
for myself. Your commander is a soldier and I will not 
doubt his disposition to do whatsoever he can in my own 
behalf; nor for my men can I expect to gain other favor, 
than that which is usually accorded in war between 
civilized nations, to prisoners surrendering without resist- 
ance. 

“ I will not hide the truth from you. There are many, 
and perhaps the larger number, who will not give up 
their arms without some pledge of security for their lives 
and the final hope of return to their native country, 
which the majority most earnestly wish. All desire no 
more than to leave you in peace. The question of sover- 
eignty shall be left to our respective royal masters to be 
settled between them as they will. Here is a copy of 
Admiral Coligny’s instructions. Call your General's 
attention to the fact that, in accordance with its directions, 
I have authority to make an agreement for complete with- 
drawal from this land and leave you in perfect posses- 
sion if it is deemed best by me.’’ 

D’Ochoa returned to Melendez with Ribault’s mes- 
sage. Two hours later came the ultimatum of the 
Adelantado. 

“In the name of Philip, by the grace of God, King of 


Story of the Huguenots 


91 


Spain and all the Indies, I, Pedro Melendez de Avila, 
Adelantado of Florida, demand the surrender of all the 
French now under the command of Jean Ribault, prom- 
ising such grace and clemency as are accorded usually 
to prisoners. To those who will not surrender, war to 
the knife!”* 

The herald further told Ribault that the truce then 
existing would not last longer than until next day noon, 
when the whole matter must be concluded, adding that 
the sooner all could be settled the better would be the 
terms accorded. A safe conduct to and from the Span- 
ish camp was extended Ribault and such officers as he 
might choose, to dine with the Adelantado. Hoping 
that an opportunity might be presented to move Melen- 
dez to greater leniency, Ribault selected Ottigny, Ro- 
trou and his trumpter, Perrault Le Bearnois, to accom- 
pany him, leaving the camp in charge of D’ Erlach. 

Melendez received the party courteously and made 
so great a show of hospitality, that Ribault was thor- 
oughly imbued with the idea that he meant better than 


*The following is an exact copy of the signature of Melendez 
as appended to his ultimatum to the Huguenots. It was obtained 
by a lady, Miss A. M. Brooks, while in Seville, Spain, looking over 
documents relating to the early Spanish settlements, and electro- 
typed for this book. While the Spanish, and therefore the correct 
form of the name, is Menendez, the French form is followed in this 
story as found in the history of the events, given by those of the 
Huguenots who escaped. 



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his words. Neither did the wily Spaniard fail to so dis- 
play his little force, show the excellence of their equipment 
and their martial discipline, as to enforce the idea of his 
power. Indeed, the contrast with the mutinous disposi- 
tion of his own men, their disheartened and demoralized 
condition, made Ribault feel more than ever the futility 
of resistance. 

Every proposition of further guarantee, however, was 
evaded by Melendez, who fixed in Ribault’s mind the 
belief that reasonable conditions would be given to the 
French upon surrender, and so it was finally decided 
that at an early hour the next morning, Melendez’ her- 
ald, who could speak French, should be sent to proclaim 
the terms of surrender, on the acceptance of which the 
transfer of the French across the strait should begin. 

Returning to his own side, Ribault made known 
throughout the camp the Adelantado’s proposition, bid- 
ding each, however, to decide for himself whether to 
accept or reject. 

The Breton captain was not satisfied that Melendez 
had not plotted to deceive them, and that evening D’Er- 
lach and his friends held a consultation in his tent. Uhl- 
rich by this time was rid of fever, so that he was in his 
right mind, and begged them not to trust the merciless 
butcher. “Believe him not, Captain, and you all! He 
has neither mercy nor compassion. His army is but a 
band of assassins like himself. Should you decide to 
trust his promises and surrender to-morrow, I will crawl 
this very night into the heart of these thickets and die 
of hunger and serpent bites in preference. Have I not seen 
and heard? Was ever a hatred deeper than the bottom- 
less pit, ’tis his for Frenchmen. Give me a flask of water, 
a pouch of biscuit, such arms as I can carry, and ere 
sunrise let me go, I care not where nor to what fate; ’tis 
better than that slaughter-pen over there.” 

“Nay, friend Ulrich, we trust Melendez no more 


Story of the Huguenots 


93 


than you. We believe he does not intend aught but evil 
to any of us. But it is true the General and many of the 
company are deceived by him, and have resolved to sur- 
render. As for us, we will not; for he will give no straight 
forward promise of safety to our lives, and we believe 
it will be better to fall back to the wrecks and then 
plan some method of escape, or die sword in hand. You 
are too weak to march on foot now, but to-morrow 
shall be carried on a litter. Perhaps next day you may 
be able to march with the rest,” replied D’ Erlach, and 
then with Rotrou that evening made the round of the 
camp, to strengthen the resolutions of many for the re- 
treat, and make his dispositions. 

Early in the morning before daylight, those carrying 
the litters loaded with baggage and several disabled 
soldiers, who begged not to be turned over to the cruel 
Spaniards, under LaCaille and ten arqubusiers, were to 
proceed down the beach, followed by the main body 
under Rotrou, while D’ Erlach remained with a rear 
guard of picked men until Ribault, and those going with 
him to surrender, should depart. Indeed, D’Erlach 
hoped to the last that he might persuade the commander 
to change his mind, in which, however, he was disap- 
pointed. More than that, in the morning he found nearly 
one hundred and fifty of the men, including his gallant 
friend, Captain Ottigny, had resolved to go with Ribault, 
whom surely the evil fates had in their keeping. 

Sunrise came with an October blaze of glory falling 
on the little company gathered on the beach, at the edge 
of the inlet, for their final parting. Need it be said that 
it was sad? They had often been in peril together; had 
faced storm and battle side by side. It was hard to part 
so. Ribault was astonished, even grieved that so many 
would follow his leadership no longer; were so doubtful of 
his true judgement in trusting to the Adelantado’s clem- 
ency, of which he felt assured. But the trumpets blew the 


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agreed signal. The large bateau of the Spaniards was 
launched — it was dancing under the guidance of skilled 
oarsmen over the inlet’s billows. They grasped hands 
and bid each other adieu. 

Then Ribault, with the standards of France and 
Coligny and a portion of his guard, entered the boat. 
Ernest D’Erlach bade him the last farewell and joined his 
brother. And so Ribault was ferried across the Matanzas 
strait, not seeing the grim ferryman, Death, at the tiller. 

He was conducted to the Adelantado’s tent, which 
stood near the edge of the sand point, where it was 
fringed by the dense thickets of saw palmetto and stunted 
trees, over which towered sombre live oaks, from whose 
gnarled arms hung ragged drapery of funereal moss, and 
still taller palms crowned with great shining leaves. 

Here he laid at the feet of Melendez his armor, his 
casque of steel, beautifully wrought with gold and silver 
by Florentine artists, given to him by the citizens of Ro- 
chelle; his sword, pistolet and buckler; the Commission 
given to him by Coligny as Governor of New France; and 
lastly the royal standards. 

Then his companions laid down their weapons in like 
manner. They stood disarmed, defenseless in the midst 
of their enemies, absolutely at their mercy. 

Then said Melendez: 

“Monsieur, you are no longer a General; you have no 
longer the shadow even of authority in this land. My 
orders from my royal master are to spare none of the 
leaders of French intruders upon his domain — to allow 
no heretics to exist here, save such as recant. There is 
no option left but to execute those orders. If there be 
any among you who are of the true faith, let them step 
forth!” 

None stirred. The order was repeated. Not one 
moved. All felt then that certain death confronted 


Story of the Huguenots 


95 


them. Ribault knew the doom passed upon him and his 
followers; but the old warrior felt no fear, only the shame 
of it all. 

“Is it thus, Senor, that you treat men and soldiers 
who have trusted to your clemency and honor?” 

With a scowl and a wave of his staff, Melendez said; 

“Bind this man and his companions! Take them 
thence!” 

Not another word of expostulation — none of useless 
pleading — did the veteran address to his murderer, 
but, without faltering, and with face turned heaven- 
ward, as Melendez finished his orders to the execution- 
; ers binding the men for slaughter, he uttered, “ From the 
earth we came; to the earth we must return! Soon or 
late, it is the same final end that comes to all.” 

Then as he was marched to that same spot where 
perished the Sieur de la Grange, he chanted clearly and 
solemnly, a psalm in Latin, commencing, “ Domine, Me- 
mento Mei;” well conceiving in that fearful moment 
there was left but one source of consolation. 

It was a scene, the terrible tragedy of which can 
scarcely in human history be paralleled; yet it was set in 
a frame work of matchless beauty. There was the great 
ocean heaving in blue and silver, its boundless bosom. 
The surf broke on the shore as it does now, after the 
centuries have passed, chanting the same mysterious 
anthem of power and praise and solemnity, the Creator 
set the notes for at the first. There were soft skies with 
fleecy clouds, light as angel wings; the broad river inside 
the green rolling sand dunes of the island and peninsula 
barriers. Over all, through all, and doubtless heard in 
heaven, swept that one human voice, singing a psalm of 
death, a funeral march, until the shadows of the forest 
closed upon the party. 

There were eight men with bound hands, and to each 


96 Florida Historical Tales 

one a dagger-armed assassin. They were marched out of 
sight and sound of the camp and of their companions, 
being brought across the inlet in squads of ten to be dealt 
with in like manner, each party not knowing the fate of 
the preceding. 

As they approached the appointed place the soldier 
having Ribault in charge, said to him. 

“Senor, you are the general of the French.” 

“I was,” accenting the last word, was the answer. 

“You have been accustomed to exact obedience to 
your orders?” 

“Without doubt?” 

“Deem it not strange that I obey mine, then!” 

Thus speaking, he drove his poignard into the heart 
of his victim, who fell upon his face without a groan and 
died. So died the others also without further prelim- 
inaries, and as with them, a similar scene was enacted, 
the same questioning, the same sentence and doom with 
each boat load ferried over to execution, till more than a 
hundred perished.* 


“MATANZAS,” THE PLACE OF SLAUGHTER 
Notes of Later Discoveries 

Since the publication of the first edition of this work, as the 
result of investigations by the author, made in the vicinity of the 
massacres at Matanzas Inlet, some new points are worthy of note 
as tending to fix the exact locations of the tragic events narrated in 
the story. 

Heretofore it has generally been deemed that the final slaughter 
of the Huguenot victims occurred in the immediate vicinity of Matan- 
zas Inlet at the extreme southern end of Anastasia Island. 

A short time prior to the author’s visit referred to, for the pur- 
pose of securing material suitable for the surfacing of avenues and 
roads newly opened, contracts were made with George C. Middleton, 
the proprietor of extensive shell mounds at Crescent Beach, for 
oyster shells in greater quantity than available elsewhere. 


Story of the Huguenots 


97 


These oyster shell mounds occupied the shore of a curving cove 
in the western side of the island, immediately on the main channel 
of the salt water sound known as Matanzas river, a body of tide water 
connecting the inlet of the same name with the one known as St. 
Augustine inlet at the northern end of the island. Here at the time 
Menendez began his settlement there was located an Indian village 
of considerable size, whose foundation dated from an unknown past. 

The inhabitants, an unwarlike tribe, subsisting chiefly upon 
oysters and fish, were incapable of successfully opposing Spanish 
domination and eventually were obliterated. This spot was the 
nearest one north of Matanzas Inlet that afforded wood and fresh 
water for camping purposes and with its peculiar topography 
and forest lined shores means of concealment from observation. 
The distance to the inlet proper is about six miles. 

As the work of digging and hauling off the shell progressed, 
the workmen uncovered what appeared to have been originally a 
shallow trench. In it lying side by side were twelve skeletons, one 
face downward with the skull crushed. Beneath them the shell 
deposit contained in addition two skeleton remains evidently of abori- 
ginal origin, fragments of Indian pottery, bone arrowheads and 
spear points. But the twelve first discovered had amongst them 
no Indian ornaments, weapons or utensils, whole or fragmentary. 
Several of the skulls seemed to be of pronounced European type, 
especially indicated by decayed teeth uncommon amongst the abori- 
gines. Other evidences were presented in the thinness of the skulls 
and their facial angles. 

Shortly after the discovery of this trench, a violent storm occur- 
red producing waves which tore up the shores of the cove, uncovering 
a pit in which eighteen skeletons of like character were found. 

It should be remembered there were two of these massacres with 
several days intervening and that it is hardly probable the same spot 
would be used for even the brutal burial, given the victims, when in 
this warm climate decomposition is so rapid. 

The number of skeletons found in each is fairly indicative of the 
leadership of the two detachments of Huguenots under the separate 
command of La Grange and Ribault. The new light shed by these 
discoveries and additional notes found in old histories prove defi- 
nitely that in each case the leaders of the two detachments and 


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“the gentlemen with them” (vide the priest Grajales, chaplain to 
Menendez, according to Garcelaso de La Vega’s Chronicles ), were 
seperated from the rest and marched “with hands bound behind 
their backs to Menendez camp” at some distance from the scene of 
the slaughter of the main bodies, which occurred nearer to the 
inlet. 

The priest, Grajales, was present at the capture of the La 
Grange detachment and prompted as he expresses it by his “bowels 
of compassion” interceded in behalf of the prisoners to no avail 
except in the saving of a few who professed to be Catholics, whom he 
carried back with him to St. Augustine. Undoubtedly sickened 
by the atrocities he had witnessed he did not return with Menendez 
to that of the Ribault division, the account of which outside of the 
Adelantado’s own report to the King of Spain is briefly given by 
Solis de Las Meras, his brother-in-law. 

That there were gentlemen of family and fortune in both divi- 
sions is evidenced by their offering in the first instance, 20,000 ducats, 
ransom and in the second 30,000 ducats or a total amount expressed 
in modern terms of $117,000. The proffer, however, of this sum 
instead of mollifying the crafty and cruel Spaniard served only to 
fix his determination to slay them and strip it from their dead bodies. 
It is well authenticated that in anticipation of permanent settle- 
ment in America, many of the Huguenots who joined the expedition 
had realized upon their properties before leaving France, what they 
could in money and jewels and doubtless had with them, amounts 
in excess of their proffers. 

This fact would furnish a cogent reason for separating them 
from their followers, the common sailors and soldiers constituting the 
divisions, thus preventing his own horde of thieves and robbers 
drawn from the criminal dregs of Spain, from securing the richest 
part of the plunder. It behooved him therefore to keep the princi- 
pal Frenchmen under his own eyes until the end. 

Grajales says in his account that after the formal surrender 
of La Grange, Menendez addressed the leader and his officers as 
follows: “Gentlemen, I have but a few men and they not well 
known to me, and as you are at liberty,” (although disarmed,) 
“it would be easy for you to revenge yourselves upon me for the 
people I have put to death; it is therefore necessary that you should 


Story of the Huguenots 


99 


march with your hands tied behind your backs four leagues to where 
I have my camp.” 

It is not four standard Spanish leagues to Crescent Beach from 
the present inlet in a direct line, but as the inner shore of the island 
was impassible owing to dense thickets of scrub oaks and saw pal- 
metto, the roundabout way up the beach on the ocean side and across 
the island to the river shore might well be taken to approximate that 
distance. Certain it is the distance to the settlement first established 
on the extreme northern end, afterward removed to the present 
site of St. Augustine, to which Menendez retired after each event, 
like a tiger glutted with slaughter, was much greater. 

The Las Meras account of the Ribault Massacre is almost a 
repetition of that of Grajales, the same treacherous tactics so suc- 
cessful on that occasion being duplicated. 

It is evident, also, that both accounts were rigidly censored and 
the truth suppressed or falsified. One single sentence in the Meras 
account has an unintentional touch of sublime pathos in it. 

“When Ribault, the officers and gentlemen with him at the last, 
realized the merciless fate at hand, they arose and chanted or sang 
the Huguenot adaptation of the psalm ‘Domini Memento Mei,’ 
after which the General ordered their immediate execution.” 

Another point indicating this locality as the place where the 
leaders and principal men of both divisions met their fate is found 
in the statement that “on the morning of the 28th of September 
C 1565) runners from the Indian village informed Menendez at St. 
Augustine that a large number of white men had arrived at the inlet 
and were seeking to cross it, upon which Menendez rightly judging 
they were some of Ribault’s men, immediately ordered his lieutenant 
Diego Flores de Valdez, with fifty soldiers, to go by boat to that 
vicinity, with a warning to keep concealed from the French until he, 
Menendez, with others in his party could join them by marching 
overland.” 

The camp selected must possess not only the requisites for con- 
cealment but also wood and water. This cove was the last place 
along the river shore possessing these features, especially a supply 
of fresh water still indicated by the old Indian wells now partially 
filled with debris. 

It is therefore almost certain that the site of the vanished Indian 


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village at what is now known as Crescent Beach is the place where 
the leaders of the French Huguenots were remorselessly slain. 

Bordering the bare sands of the southern extremity of the 
island is a singular basin, surrounded chiefly by high bluffs and dense 
thickets except on the inlet side, where it is fenced off by a high 
bulwark of sand. Within this area of possibly 100 acres, there are 
a number of sand peaks, one of which called Observation Mount, 
because chosen by Menendez to observe the French unseen by them, 
rises to a height sufficient to overlook the whole vicinity. 

Into the hiding recesses of this natural slaughter pen the com- 
mon soldiers and sailors were conveyed, disarmed and bound as 
they were brought over by boat loads and there slaughtered, their 
bones in the course of the elapsing centuries becoming deeply buried 
beneath the sands constantly drifting in from the beach. 

Exposed as this extreme of Anastasia Island is to the full force 
of the southeast trade winds, with a large area of easily shifted sands 
contiguous, it is certain that without the pretence of burial 
by the Spaniards this would be so thoroughly accomplished by 
natural forces as to render it impossible to locate the remains with 
any exactitude. 

The absence of other relics besides the skeletons, in the shape 
of belt buckles, sword hilts, fragments of other weapons, tools or 
camp utensils can readily be accounted for by the complete stripping 
of the victim’s bodies by the Spaniards and Indians of every article 
having any value whatever. 

It is right and just in concluding this part of the story of the 
Huguenots to say that not all the Spanish settlers who came with 
Menendez endorsed his conduct for while little can be found in his- 
tory to the contrary, oral traditions still extant declare there were 
warm protests from both priests and laymen which required severely 
repressive action to suppress. 

*Here ends the history properly of La Caroline and Ribault, al- 

though still later on La Caroline, or rather Fort San Mateo, as the 
Spaniards had named it, again became the scene of a most remark- 
able event — the sudden and terrible vengeance of the Chevalier de 
Gourgues. 

Part II, which follows, describes the romantic adventures of 
D’Erlach and his men along the coast south of St. Augustine ; their 
mishaps and final triumphs; relating also much interesting matter 
connected with the Indians of this region, including history and 
romance hitherto unpublished. 



PRINCESS ISSENA 


(From an oil painting) 






















































































i 












*• .*■-*, rv ' *• - 

-x\.- 

- I> - . . . • . - • . 


* . . 














. 
















- • - • 



PART II. 

THE ROMANCE OF IT 















Story of the Huguenots 


103 


CHAPTER XIV. 

THE DARING EXPLOIT OF CHEVALIER D’OTTIGNY, LE 
BEARNOIS AND THEIR COMPANIONS. 

Just prior to departing, Ribault had directed Ottigny 
to remain until the last boat was ready to be carried 
across the strait. 

“It may be, Captain, that Melendez will prove 
treacherous. Should you see aught to make you believe 
so, take what course you may deem best. God knows 
what the outcome will be.” 

So, through the weary lagging hours, until the mid- 
dle of the afternoon, Ottigny waited, filled with many 
perplexities and anxieties, for his turn to come. He had 
kept with him, Francis Perrault, familiarly called Le 
Bearnois from the province of which he was a native, the 
chief trumpeter, the other having gone with D’ Erlach, 
besides eight of his best men. 

Ottigny had watched closely, as well as he could at 
the distance between the two shores of the strait, what 
occurred on the other side. 

He had seen the first detachment, headed by Ri- 
bault, land on the opposite shore and march, escorted by 
the guard sent to meet him, to Melendez’ tent. As the 
two banners carried by them were lowered, the Chevalier 
covered his face with his hands to hide the tears in his 
eyes, for with that act fell all the high hopes with which 
he had first entered upon this enterprise, that at the 
beginning, was to give to France a new world and to him- 
self honor and distinction. 


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“Perrault, your eyes are as keen as the eagle’s, tell 
me what you see,” said he to the trumpeter. 

“It is little, mon capitaine,” answered he. “They 
have laid down their arms, and now the eight are being 
marched toward the forest around the cove, with a 
guard, amongst whom I see no pikes or halberds. They 
are gone from sight.” 

The next boat load carried ten, and so on, until the 
hour came as mentioned. 

During the procedure it was noted that a number of 
the prisoners were dropped from the little detachments 
and went not towards the forest, but were left in charge 
of two black robed friars, and allowed at noon to parade 
on the beach in full sight of their late companions on the 
other side. These were those who were Catholics or had 
recanted, and Melendez, with consummate art, instigated 
this display of freedom and hospitality, for he made 
them take their noonday meal as conspicuously, rightly 
conjecturing it would influence the others favorably, 
making them more disposed to surrender. And so it did. 
The poor deluded wretches even crowded to enter the 
boat, esteeming it a favor to be selected. 

Even the veterans Ottigny had chosen to remain with 
him, growled at being compelled to wait until the last. 

They were now the only ones remaining. Le Bear- 
nois raised his bugle to his mouth and not loudly but 
sweetly played a few strains of a march. The tide had 
recently turned seaward. The batteau was coming across 
the inlet. 

“My comrades, one word ere we go,” said their 
captain. “Perhaps at the last D’Erlach’s warning may 
prove true. Should it be so, do you follow every word I 
give you and stand by every act. Be alert and brave for 
your lives and the honor of France.” They answered 
affirmatively, and as the boat came to shore, stepped in. 


Story of the Huguenots 


105 


As they landed, no guard met them. It was the last 
boat load and the boatmen themselves, escorted them to 
headquarters. 

“You are the Chevalier Louis D’Ottigny and these 
men with you are the last of the French who surrender?” 
questioned Melendez. 

“It is true, Senor?” 

“You will deposit your arms here with the rest.” 

Ottigny and his men then proceeded to divest them- 
selves of their arms, during which process the former 
noticed the group of fifteen or twenty Frenchmen in 
charge of the two friars, whose looks were downcast and 
shamefaced. He saw, also, coming from the forest open- 
ing, a number of Spaniards. At this juncture the voice 
of Le Bearnois was heard addressing Melendez. 

“Senor commandant, I crave your pardon, but my 
bugle is not a weapon of war. It has been my companion 
for many years. Will you not permit me to keep it.” 

“Thou shall keep it to the last, since thou dost prize 
it so highly,” replied Melendez with a mocking smile. 

He then proceeded to put the questions, concerning 
religious faith and recantation, as had been done to all 
the others. 

“ I care not which you choose. Here on the one side is 
freedom and life, with these your former comrades, who 
have accepted the terms, or on the other hand the death 
decreed to heretics and enemies. There is no other 
choice.” 

Meantime, Ottigny, with keen eye, was watchful, 
though not yet fully alive to the deadly peril confronting 
them. 

At this moment appeared from behind the tent, ten 
stalwart ruffians with daggers sheathed in their girdles, 
bearing cords in their hands and with many bloodstains 
upon their leathern jerkins. They were the “Matadors” 


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as they had been nicknamed throughout the camp, the 
slaughter gang. 

“Choose ye, and that quickly!” exclaimed Melendez 
sternly and impatiently raising his staff to make the fatal 
signal. 

Clear as sunlight burst on the mind of Ottigny the 
whole truth. Dead in yonder glade were Ribault, gener- 
ous and noble with all his faults, and all of his brave 
comrades, faithful unto the end, fearful as it was, to him 
and to their faith. The same fate was to be theirs. 

The rage of battle swept over his soul; electrified his 
nerves; turned his sinews into steel. 

With the lightning bound of a leopard, he sprang to 
the pile of surrendered arms, seized a halberd and aimed 
one swinging tremendous blow at Melendez, shouting. 

“Take that, thou treacherous murderer, and to hell 
with thee!” 

The blade of the halberd struck on the side of Me- 
lendez’ steel helmet, glanced and the shaft of the weapon 
falling across his armored shoulder, broke off. The blow 
felled him, however, stunned and motionless to the 
ground. 

With the heroic madness of the Norse Berseker 
upon him, Ottigny plied the stout ash shaft which re- 
mained in his hands with terrible effect, for two of the 
“matadors” fell with crushed skulls. His followers had 
grasped other weapons from the pile, and noting the ral- 
lying of the Spaniards to the tent, he shouted: “To the 
boat, men! Quick! For your lives! For God and France!” 

Fortunately, so unexpectedly and so instantaneously 
did it all happen, Ottigny’s party, except two who 
were slain by the Adelantado’s immediate guard, reached 
the boat in safety. The one man left to guard it was 
stricken down. Ottigny cut the painter with his dagger, 
which he had previously hidden in his doublet, and with 


Story of the Huguenots 


107 


a rush the boat was pushed off, they springing into it. 

In a moment it was caught by the swift, strong cur- 
rent, and swept out into the channel, and towards the 
sea. 

Confusion reigned in the Spanish camp. Wild com- 
mands and shouts of rage rang over the sands, but it was 
too late. Their last proposed victims had escaped. 

For a few moments they rested to catch their breath. 
Then Le Bearnois unslung his bugle from its baldric, 
and, standing up in the bow of the boat, blew so shrill, 
so loud and bold a defiance, that it rang high above the 
roar of the surf, the shouts and cries of the Spaniards 
and went echoing even to the other shore of the Matanzas 
river. 

Meantime, D' Ochoa, satisfied that Melendez was 
stunned, not killed, called the friars to attend him, and 
rallying a company of arquebusiers, hurried them to a 
point near the mouth of the inlet to fire on the escaping 
Huguenots. But few had their matches lighted, how- 
ever, when the boat came in range, Le Bearnois blowing 
lustily. They opened fire, and one of the bullets striking 
the buckle of his belt tumbled him into the bottom of 
the boat, breathless, but otherwise unhurt. 

“Tonnerre!" ejaculated the trumpter, when he could 
raise himself, “a bullet takes one's breath worse than a 
bugle! But see! My bugle is unhurt!" 

The arquebusiers raised a shout, thinking they had 
killed Le Bearnois, and fired another volley. The bullets 
rained like hail around the boat, but the latter was roll- 
ing to the bar breakers and furnished no steady mark. 

“Pull hard, men! A few more strokes and we are 
out of their range!" exclaimed D’Ottigny at the tiller, 
his eyes fixed upon a huge breaker coming in from the 
sea. Keeping the boat bow on, he added: “ Quick! Fifty 
feet farther, and we are safe!" 


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The bullets dropped behind the boat, but a great 
swell of blue water was rearing itself in front of them. 

To capsize here meant death by drowning, or from 
the sharks, or at the least to be cast ashore amongst in- 
furiated enemies. But steady was the hand on the tiller; 
strong the arms plying the oars, and in|another breath- 
less moment the boat rode over the mountain of water 
which broke in thunder behind them, and for the time 
being they were safe and free. 


Note — D’Erlach and those who escaped with him in the tumult 
believed the blow he had felled the Adelantado with was more 
severe than in reality. It is not even mentioned in the Spanish 
reports and probably only intensified Menendez’s intentions to 
utterly destroy the last of the Huguenots. 


Story of the Huguenots 


109 


CHAPTER XV. 

THE RETREAT— CAMP BELOW MATANZAS AND THE 
REQUIEM AT SEA. 

Meantime, as D’ Erlach had planned, the advance 
guard, followed by the main body of the Huguenots who 
had refused to surrender to the Spaniards, had departed 
from Matanzas before sunrise, to take advantage of the 
lowest stage of the tide along the beach southward. 

D’Erlach had remained to bid a last farewell to Ribault, 
when the latter should complete his arrangements to 
begin the surrender. Even to the last, he labored to per- 
suade his comrades to join in the retreat. But it was 
useless. He was glad, however, that the main body had 
marched so early, for had they remained they doubtless 
would have joined the others, for even as it was, reason- 
ably assured in his own mind of Melendez’ intended 
treachery, he at moments felt himself tempted to throw 
aside his doubts, but duty and honor called him to the 
faithful discharge of his obligations as the guide and 
commander of the little army, wending its way toward 
Canaveral. 

Along the inner shores of the weary coast line were 
many populous Indian villages. He could not tell at 
what moment some straggler might arouse animosity 
and hostility. 

At last he turned southward with his dozen halberd- 
ers and arquebusiers, only halting at the last point from 
which he could scan the Spanish camp to see, as Ottigny 
did, the lowering of Ribault’s banners, the Fleur de Lis 
of France and the flag of Coligny. And, even as his 


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friend had done, he also covered his eyes, then hoarsely 
bidding his men to move on, looked no more, but with 
set lips, went after them. 

It was a silent, sorrowful march. The sun blazed 
down upon them; shone in silver on white sand banks 
on one side; glittered in dazzling glory on the ocean — 
that great, boundless, heaving, never-resting expanse of 
water, beyond which lay their native land, farther from 
them than the infinite and the eternal. 

Even in his brave heart, there was little less than the 
bitterness of despair, as the hopelessness of the future 
came forcibly upon him. 

Nevertheless, he kept step with his men, nor was it 
long before his spirits recovered their usual elasticity. 

Some two hours’ march brought them to a portion of 
the beach where its usually smooth sands were broken 
by coquina rocks, with pools of water between them as 
the tide was rapidly coming in. Here, some sea bass 
were secured by spearing, and after placing a few miles 
of this rough section, rapidly becoming impassible 
through the rise of the tide, between them and possible 
pursuit, a halt was called for dinner. 

Fire was kindled with flint and steel, and what with 
fish, ship biscuit, of which they had a little store, water 
from their flasks and the berries of the saw palmetto, 
which were abundant among the sand hills, they made a 
meal and then resumed their march; the latter part of 
which was rendered toilsome by the high tide, compel- 
ling them to march over the sand dunes. 

As the shades of night began to close around them, 
some twenty miles south of the inlet, the campfires of the 
main body were sighted, and shortly after they joined 
their companions, who crowded around them for tidings. 

D’Erlach left to his men the telling of what little they 
knew to their comrades and related what he had last 


Story of the Huguenots 


111 


seen of Ribault to Rotrou, his brother Ernest, La Caille, 
D’Alembert and Uhlrich, at their campfire. The latter 
had borne the march well, having walked much of the 
way, and was rapidly recovering. 

To him, every incident was significant, and when 
D’ Erlach told of seeing Ribault and his seven compan- 
ions marched toward the forest, he said “Poor men! It 
was to their death they went, for all know, not one of 
those in that first boat load would ever deny his faith 
and that I know is the only condition the murderer Mel- 
endez would offer them.” 

Sentinels were posted both upon the beach and else- 
where to guard against surprise from either Spaniards or 
Indians, although from the latter little was feared. In 
this vicinity the Indian settlement lay in a heavy hum- 
mock beyond the marsh, where were large shell mounds 
and fertile gardens. From the aborigines the French had 
so far met with only kindness, and they had mutually 
cultivated good will. 

D’ Erlach found that it was fortunate indeed that 
Uhlrich was with the Huguenots on their march, for 
they were so disheartened by present hardships and the 
outlook for the future, that without his persistent com- 
batting of their disposition to repent of their retreat from 
Matanzas, probably many would have returned even 
after the march began, to share the fate of their former 
comrades. 

Fortunately, also, it was the season of the year when 
the climate is almost perfection; cool seawinds temper- 
ing the sunshine and driving away the pests of mosqui- 
tos and sandflies, which, at times, rendered life on these 
coasts a torment. Game and fish also abounded, and 
there was no lack of necessary food in the camp. A 
well had been scooped out at the foot of the hill on the 
inside of the peninsula, which here was very narrow, 


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being only about a furlong in width, and from this they 
had an abundance of drinking water. The little hollows 
back of the sand barriers, furnished comfortable camp- 
ing places, and palmetto leaves for bedding. 

Wearied with the excitements of the day, and the 
tiresome marches, the whole camp was soon asleep, 
except the sentinels. 

Not long, however, did D’Erlach wander in dream- 
land. Nay, it seemed to him that he had barely crossed 
its boundary line when the voice of Rotrou (returning 
from the outposts) aroused him. “ Awaken, Chevalier!. 

“ What is it, mon ami?” he asked, springing to his 

feet. 

“ Follow me to the beach. There is a sound at sea 
that is a marvel I cannot make out. The guards have 
heard it, and are amazed.” 

Luigo, the Florentine bugler, who had remained 
with this portion of the force, rose also and went with 
them. 

The wind had quieted down with the setting sun, but 
quite a surf was still tumbling on the outer bar, with 
crests which ran along its edge in phosphorescent flames, 
made more brilliant by the dark waters behind. 

At first their straining ears caught only the cries of 
night birds wheeling through the dark, vast concave 
overhead, or the boom of the bull alligator from the 
marsh. 

Naught else but these nocturnal sounds and the steady 
crashing of the surf upon the sands could be heard at first. 

Then there came floating in from a distant point at 
sea, strains of sweet, solemn music, to which the ocean’s 
voice served as the deep bass of a cathedral organ. 

Nearer, gradually and clearer, the sweet, sad sounds 
floated over the ocean’s breast and penetrated to their 
very hearts, until at last they swelled into the perfect 
rhythm of the old plaintive funeral march, where with the 


Story of the Huguenots 


113 


mountain brotherhoods of the Vosges and the Alps, in the 
days of persecution and peril buried their lamented dead. 

Now high and clear, tho’ distant, arose the notes as 
if appealing to high heaven for help of angel hands, to 
bear a freed soul to its immortal home. Now, low and 
trembling with deep pathos, the tones came over the 
water like the wail of a broken heart. There was behind 
it all the measured sound of chanting voices and instinc- 
tively there came into D’ Erlach’s mind the words of the 
psalm: 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
shadow of Death, 

“I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” 

Whatever it might be in origin, the three, warriors of 
proof though they were, fell upon their knees on the wet 
sands and their leader murmured reverently the words: 

“Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum.” (Blessed be the 
Name of the Lord. ) 

It was, so they thought, the last requiem for their 
illfated comrades, sung perhaps, by angel voices. 


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CHAPTER XVI. 

CHEVALIER D'OTTIGNY AND HIS COMPANIONS GAIN 
THE CAMP. 

The swift succession of calamities and misfortunes 
which had befallen them; their isolation in this strange 
land; their sorrow for their lost comrades, had chastened 
their spirits, and this act of devotion under the impulse 
of the moment, reflected no discredit upon their courage 
and true-heartedness. Rather, indeed, it strengthened 
those elements of their characters, and as they rose from 
their knees, aroused thereto by a renewal of the music 
upon the waters, they felt less of a superstitious fear nat- 
ural to that age, than wonder at the cause. 

“ Were we not here upon this distant ocean shore, so 
many countless leagues from France, I would say, there 
is yonder a funeral barge carrying some brave warrior to 
his final home. But it cannot be; nor is this yet a dream,” 
said D’ Erlach. 

“What can it be — ah, here comes the outpost down 
the beach — what news, men?” uttered Rotrou, turning to 
face the three who had been stationed some distance 
away from camp. 

“Captain, you have heard those sounds which we 
have followed along the shore, what do they mean?” 

Rotrou shook his head to signify that he did not 
know, and stirred up the dull embers of a fire near by, 
throwing upon it an armful of dry palm leaves and drift- 
wood, which made a bright flare shining far over the sea. 

As the flames shot up, there rang out above the 
sound of the surf a bugle call for a parley; the same with 


Story of the Huguenots 


115 


which the Spanish camp at Matanzas had been hailed. 

“If that be not Le Bearnois, never have I heard him 
blow a bugle!” exclaimed Luigo, placing his own trum- 
pet to his mouth and blowing such a blast in answer as 
awakened the whole camp, causing the astonished sol- 
diers to rush over the bank and down upon the beach as 
if the foe was upon them. 

Back came the answer, and then with a ringing shout, 
a boat shot out of the misty darkness which had hidden 
it from sight, close up to the breakers on the bar within 
the reach of the firelight. 

“Per Baccho — it is Perrault! By all that's wonder- 
ful.” 

“And Ottigny! God be praised!” 

“Hold hard! Wait until that wave breaks, and then 
pull in!” shouted Rotrou, rushing forward with a dozen 
stout, willing men to seize the boat in the midst of the 
breakers, and pull it on the sands. 

It was soon done, and in a moment the whole beach 
rang with acclamations and shouts of welcome. Ot- 
tigny, Le Bearnois and their six brave companions, were 
safe amongst their comrades, who fairly wept with joy at 
greeting them again. 

°Tis as it will be at the resurrection morn,” said 
one bronzed soldier to another. “Luigo, like the angel 
Gabriel, blew his trumpet and lo, the very sea gave up 
the ones we had surely counted with the dead!” 

Then, there was indeed so strange a scene as never 
was before, nor ever will be again enacted on this lonely 
strand, backed by the unknown savage wilderness of 
land and lake; of marsh and forest covered plains and 
hills, stretching westward under the shades and stars of 
night, how far, how vast, they knew not; bounded on the 
eastward by the still more illimitable ocean upon whose 


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ever restless bosom their keels had left no trail to mark 
the homeward way. 

Men wept like children, as they grasped their rescued 
comrades’ hands, or threw their arms around them in 
the warm-hearted French fashion. Order and discipline 
were forgotten; even the sentinels crowded in to give 
their greeting unreproved. All had grasped their arms at 
the first alarm, but few had donned their armor and 
many were bare of casque or morion. 

Still higher leaped the bivouac flames, throwing a 
ruddy glare over the little army gathered there to hear 
Ottigny’s story, for naught would satisfy them but to be 
told it all. 

There were cries of rage, groans and curses even, as 
he told of the fateful disappearance into the forest, with 
the blood stained assassin guard, of each detachment, 
the. names of whose members were whispered amongst 
their individual friends as if they stood by their biers. 
But when the Chevalier, oft interrupted by his comrades, 
told of the scene, which, at the last, nearly redeemed the 
dark Matanzas tragedy, their shouts were almost loud 
enough to be echoed over the weary leagues back to the 
Spanish camp. 

The story of Le Bearnois’ bugle blast of defiance, as 
the boat shot out of Matanzas Inlet under a hail of bul- 
lets, warmed up Luigo until with his own trumpet, he 
made the welkin ring with all the strains and notes of 
triumph, his skill and breath could call from the quiver- 
ing metal. 

. was told the brief story of the weary toiling 

with the oars southward along the shore and the watch- 
ing for the friendly campfires, which they had hoped to 
see sooner. How, knowing the camp could not be far 
away, yet not daring to attempt to land until they knew 
-Le Bearnois had taken his bugle and overwhelmed with 


Story of the Huguenots 


117 


thoughts of those, who were lying stark and still behind 
them, had played the funeral march, to which the others 
had joined their voices and the measured stroke of oars. 

It was a midnight hour of mingled rage and joy, in 
which these emotions ruled every soul with despotic 
sway. And ill indeed, would it have fared with the 
cruel, treacherous Spaniards, from their leader down to 
the veriest scullion of them all, had they been within 
striking distance. But they were leagues away; the 
king butcher hardly knowing whether he was on earth or 
in Hades; his wretched life only saved from the mighty 
blow Ottigny had dealt him, by the goodness of his 
Milan armor. 

There was one among them, half chaplain, half 
soldier, who had a book of warlike hymns and psalms 
versified, such as many of them had sung when marching 
into battle on the hottest fields of France. Songs, born 
of poet souls in the Desert of the Gard, the valleys of 
Auvergne and Savoy; full of mystic fervor and faith, 
well fitted to the age and the hour. Stepping into the 
center of the circle where the firelight fell full upon the 
page he began to sing one of the most familiar. 

Scarce had his tongue given sound to the first word, 
when more than two hundred voices joined in drowning 
the dull thunder of the billows breaking at their feet, with 
waves of melody that stormed the very gates of heaven. 

Then came a prayer; with every knee bent upon the 
sands, of such impassioned and indescribable fervor; 
so strangely mingled with pleadings for Providential 
help and just vengeance on their merciless foes — as sel- 
dom has been before or since uttered by poor human lips. 

Three hundred years and more have gone since then, 
laden with the lives of millions, burdened with joy and 
sorrow, and there is scarcely anywhere in the world, a 
handful of dust, a sign, a trace, or a name to recall the 


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memory of these men, so utterly forgotten by their God 
and lost to all their kindred. And yet who will dare to 
say, they lived and battled bravely with untoward fate 
in vain and to no end but oblivion.” 


*Note — The scene here described occurred near the House of 
Befuge, on the upper Halifax. 


Story of the Huguenots 


119 


CHAPTER XVII. 

“LE CAMP RENCONTE FELICE” — THE VOYAGE DOWN 
THE HALIFAX RIVER. 

“Le Camp Renconte Felice,” or the Camp of the 
Happy meeting, was the name bestowed by the remnant 
of the Huguenot forces, upon the site of this re-union of 
Ottigny and his comrades with the rest, and strange as 
it may seem, not all the sad news the Chevalier had 
brought of the fate of Ribault and his companions 
quenched the feelings of admiration and pleasure, arous- 
ed in their hearts, by the brave and successful exploit 
of an unarmed handful of men, so absolutely in the 
toils of the merciless foe, it seemed indeed a miracle 
which saved them. 

Before, they had been so benumbed by apathy and 
despair as to be incapable of any attempt to conquer the 
difficulties by which they were surrounded, except by 
flight or surrender. 

Now, however, the blood coursed through their veins 
with renewed ardor. A ray of hope shot over their dark 
horizon, and new courage came to them. They were men 
at least as strong as the eight who, at the last moment, 
disarmed, and apparently at the mercy of Melendez, had 
suddenly, by brave audacity and prompt action, broken 
the occult spell of his power. 

So, in the morning, instead of a dispirited rabble, 
fleeing, they knew not where, to escape they knew not 
what, the whole body was ready to listen to wise coun- 
sel and to bravely carry out the best plan that could be 
devised. 


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Having thought the matter over thoroughly, D’Er- 
lach had concluded that no attack from Melendez was 
to be apprehended soon, for whether or not he was seri- 
ously wounded, his force was evidently not large enough 
to risk pursuit and possible successful resistance. Here- 
tofore the Spaniards had been the easy victors. Now 
they had wounded and dead of their own to care for. In 
the melee with Ottigny it was certain there were several 
of them slain outright, and others severely wounded. 
More than likely, also, affairs at the St. Augustine settle- 
ment would need their immediate return to that place. 

This would give the Huguenots a breathing spell, 
time to plan, and, perhaps, successfully execute their 
escape from Florida, encompassed as it was by many 
difficulties. 

For the present, Ottigny was the hero of the hour, 
and to him D’Erlach gave the full meed of praise his 
gallantry deserved. But his was not the head to solve 
the problems, or to direct the execution of plans which 
must be laid carefully, if success was to be attained. 
Pierre Rotrou, the Breton captain, was as staunch and 
true as the needle of a compass; the master sailor of 
Ribault’s fleet, and put him on ship board, not to be excell- 
ed. He, too, could fence or parry with the best of them, 
hold a breach, lead an assault or repel boarders, but was 
scarce a leader for such straits. 

# La Caille was a brave and dauntless soldier, a good 
trainer at arms and discipline, a man to be trusted to 
execute commands, but not to plan. 

D’Alembert was brave, but reckless and impatient, 
subject to extremes of feeling, and greatly ruled by them! 

# Clear-headed, brave as a lion, full of resources, skill- 
ful in planning and prompt in execution, the one man of 
them all to lead, direct, command, was D’Erlach, and 
therefore upon him devolved the care of all by nature, as 


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121 


well as by the rank he had held under both Laudonniere 
and Ribault. 

Early in the morning, accompanied by Ernest, he 
made his way to the highest sandhill, a half mile from 
the camp, and from it looked over the country to the 
west and south. There were little groves of oak, cedar, 
and palms (or palmettos, as they are commonly called), 
along the inner edge of the peninsula, against which 
curved, occasionally, a creek, winding sinuously with 
alternate narrow course or broad expansion, through a 
great sea of grass-covered marsh lands, extending north 
and south as far as eye could reach and bounded on the 
west by heavy forests from which ascended the smoke of 
j fires marking the site of Indian settlements. Beautiful 
detached clumps and masses of palm trees were inter- 
spersed over the basin like fairy islets. 

Flocks of waterfowl, including white and gray her- 
j ons, the pink curlew, white and gray cranes, ducks of 
many varieties, in countless numbers enlivened the waters 
or the shores, while overhead sailed eagles and fish- 
hawks, the former remorselessly plundering the latter, 
even as they do today. 

Over the little hill and dales of the narrow strip of 
highland forming the eastward barrier of this basin, ran 
billows of many hued vegetation, chiefly shades of gray 
and green mingled with patches of red and gold from 
wild flowers wet with dew drops glinting in the morning 
rays, while the air was pure and sweet with briny, vapor 
and fragrance of spicy leaves. 

Yet, from this scene, so fair, so full of grace and 
beauty, because it was so wild and strange that by con- 
traries it recalled the far home hamlet, with castellated 
walls on over-hanging heights, D’Erlach turned with a 
sigh. 


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He had seen what he wished, and that was enough 
to tell him that this tortuous tidal stream connected 
with the broader, deeper sheet of water which swept far 
southward almost to Canaveral, and so went back to 
camp and called his comrades into council. 

To them he proposed the transfer of the bateau 
across the peninsula to the creek and while they con- 
ducted the removal of the camp, some four leagues down 
the coast to where, on the inner shore, there was a large 
Indian village, confronted on the mainland side by 
another, both under the same chief, Ostinola, whose rule 
extended over all the tribal villages that occupied the 
shores of these waters as far as the waters of the inlet, 
by which they were connected with the ocean, he would 
explore the river. Could he make terms of peace and al- 
liance with Ostinola and his people (of whom he had 
heard much good while on his march northward), he 
might secure such means of transportation by water as 
would at least greatly lighten the burdens of the march ; 
and also establish a courier system from village to vil- 
lage, that would enable them at any time to get news of 
it, should their enemy advance upon them. 

The batteau was originally a Spanish ship boat, well 
built and strong, large enough to carry ten men besides 
six oarsmen. A path was speedily cut through the 
brush, and as many men as could get hold of it, picked 
up the boat and carried it over the sand ridge to the creek, 
the first white man’s craft that ever floated on its shal- 
low waters. 

To Ottigny, the command of the little army was 
given, with instructions to halt at the first village noted, 
until D’Erlach should rejoin him or send further orders! 
Arrangements also were made to signal him from the 
river side,, should his presence from any cause be needed • 
and so with Ernest, LeBearnois and Uhlrich, with six 


Story of the Huguenots 


123 


oarsmen, also expert arquebusiers, D’Erlach pushed off 
to thread the devious water ways, leading to what is now 
known as the Halifax river; while Ottigny made his 
arrangements for striking camp and at his leisure marched 
southward, for the beach formed as royal a road as ever 
Roman army trod and the distance to be covered was 
not great, so there was no need of haste. 


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CHAPTER XVIII 

THE SPANIARDS RETURN TO ST. AUGUSTINE. 

During this time how fared it with the Spaniards, at 
the Matanzas camp? Their orgie of blood was brought 
to a sudden termination, although immediately after the 
escape of Ottigny some of the infuriated and most blood- 
thirsty amongst them, rushed at the squad of Catholic 
and abjuring Frenchmen to slay them in revenge; but 
the friars interposed and before they could be shoved 
aside, Martin de Ochoa threw his company of arquebu- 
siers around the prisoners and halted their assailants. 

“Hold,” He said angrily to them. “Ye have slain 
enough defenceless wretches today! Because a handful 
of brave men have escaped would ye dare violate the 
sanctity of the Holy Church, in the persons of its min- 
isters? Back bloodhounds! or by my patron saint, I fire 
upon you!” 

The mob scowled and cursed, but fell back, as the 
cavalier, leaving his men to guard the prisoners, without 
drawing his sword walked through their midst to the 
Adelantado’s tent. 

Here he found Father Salvandi, the chief of the 
priests, with the help of a page, still engaged in remov- 
ing Melendez’ armor, having taken off the battered hel- 
met and bathed his head with water. In this work 
Ochoa joined and shortly they had the still unconscious 
General stretched upon a pallet. 

“Think you, father, the blow is mortal?” 

“I think not. There is no fracture of the skull, no 
deep cut, but the blow was a tremendous one. That 


Story of the Huguenots 


125 


bold heretic struck not lightly. Had the blade fallen 
squarely in the center and not glanced off ther would 
have been naught left but masses for his soul! As it is, 
we had better go back to St. Augustine with him as soon 
as possible.” 

Still strewed upon the sands, between the tent and 
the water’s edge were the evidences of the fray; four 
dead or dying Spaniards; two also of Ottigny’s men dead 
with many wounds, and at the water’s edge the boat 
guard still dazed with the blow that had struck him 
down. 

Ochoa speedily made his arrangements, and recog- 
nizing the futility of pursuing the Huguenots, that very 
night fell back to St. Augustine with the Adelantado 
and the main bulk of the Spanish forces by boat, the rest 
marching at leisure along the Anastasia beach. 

This time there were no Te Deums of praise, and 
great ceremonies to celebrate a victory, for though the 
leader of the heretic Huguenots, and many of his follow- 
ers, lay in bloody graves, covered only by the Matanzas 
sands, their own dead — the first for whom graves were 
made in St. Augustine — must be duly laid away with 
sacred rites, although they had been but cold-blooded 
murderers; and their own wounded were to be cared for, 
besides which their Governor’s life itself still hung in 
the balance. 

For many days the sullen madness of that portion of 
the Spaniards, heretofore the deepest participants in the 
massacres, required all the joint care and skill of Ochoa 
and Salvandi to keep from murdering the prisoner 
Frenchmen, whose lives were made torture to them by 
their fears. 

It was well for them that some petty Indian forays, 
provoked by Spanish usurpations and cruel treatment of 
the aborigines, somewhat employed the worst of the 


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Florida Historical Tales 


Spaniards, as did also the erection of stockade fortifica- 
tions and store houses for the new town. 

In all, there were only about twenty-five Frenchmen 
besides forty or fifty women and children who had 
escaped from death at La Caroline or Matanzas; the former 
by virtue of their Catholicism, actual or pretended, and 
for their continued preservation, they were indebted to 
an astute idea of Friar Salvandi, by which he contrived 
also to secure the aggrandizement of the Church. 

There happened to be amongst them two stone 
masons. The only available, durable building material in 
the vicinity, was a species of rock of marine formation, 
composed of minute shells or fragments cemented to- 
gether, called coquina; found abundantly on the north 
point of Anastasia Island, the island stretching from St. 
Augustine inlet to the Matanzas inlet. This rock is 
easily quarried and cut, hardening by exposure into 
durability. 

A priesthood without a temple was an anomaly, so 
Salvandi designed one for erection, and to accomplish it, 
and at the same time protect his French charges, he set 
them to work under the masons quarrjdng and shaping 
the material, even the women and children that were 
able working at it. This separated them from the mass 
of the Spaniards and secured them better treatment. 
Thus, these poor people, outcasts from their native land, 
helped to lay the foundations and to build the first 
church erected in the United States, in which their ruth- 
less, blood-stained conquerors could celebrate with pomp 
and ceremony the worship of that Christ, born in a stable 
and crucified with malefactors, whose divine teachings 
were ever for the brotherhood of all men, of whatever 
krndred and tongue, and averse to oppression, usurpation 
and bloodshed. 

Strange irony of fate! Stranger Providence it seems 


Story of the Huguenots 


127 


for while Fate may be deaf to the voice of misery, nay, 
must be, God surely is not. Yet through all this era, it 
is as if He heard not the many cries of misery; the prayers 
for help, which went up day and night from the lips 
of innocents, continually being robbed, enslaved, mur- 
dered, in all these fair lands of the sun. 

Surely, this structure should have been a temple 
reared to Mars and Bellona, rather than a church dedi- 
cated to Christ, the Prince of Peace and his mother Mary, 
the personification of Divine Maternity, and the emblem 
placed upon its finished dome a battle pike crossed with 
a dagger. 


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CHAPTER XIX 

D’ERLACH’S VOYAGE DOWN THE HALIFAX RIVER TO 
OSTINOLA’S TOWN. 

The channel of the creek, although the tide was at its 
greatest height, was scarcely deep enough to float the 
boat. It also wound around over the marshy basin in 
such a way as to add miles to the direct distance, but 
every curve and bend rounded had its own peculiar scene 
of interest to the lad Ernest, especially. Here, a great 
alligator plunged into the muddy shallows, or crashed 
through the cat-tail flags. There, a group of cranes with 
long sharp bills, brandished like swords, watched in 
solemn silence the strange boat approach, keeping an 
arrow’s flight away, which they had learned to measure 
well; while myraid ducks and herons in other places 
made the air roar with their pinions. 

Of fish there were no end. Silver mullet leaping 
many times into the morning sunlight as if at home as 
much in air as in water, and other larger fish, darting 
here and there, making great swells after them through 
the shallows, to mark their flight. 

It was a royal aquatic preserve of fish and game, 
little disturbed by man. In one spot where the stream 
touched the western hummock there were a few Indian 
huts with little gardens attached, hastily abandoned by 
the inhabitants, startled by the strange apparitions of 
steel capped men in a craft so unlike anything they had 
ever seen before. But D’Erlach did not care to land, so 


Story of the Huguenots 


129 


as the sun mounted higher they pulled steadily on. In a 
little while they came into deeper water, where the 
banks were higher, and thickly clothed with cedars and 
palmettos; then to the confluence of another creek, com- 
ing from the westward. Out of the mouth of this, shot 
several canoes filled with Indians armed with bows and 
arrows; spears tipped with ground shells and fish bones, 
or sharpened in the fire; war clubs of heavy hard wood, 
and hatchets of stone or shell. 

They were fine, athletic men, nearly naked, their 
bronze bodies oddly painted, but their faces not unpleas- 
ant to look upon, for on their countenances were de- 
picted only wonder and amazement. 

Rising to his feet, D’ Erlach made them the sign of 
peace, both hands raised with palms turned towards 
them, and speaking to his men to rest on their oars, 
signed to the Indians to come within talking distance. 
This they did after some hesitation and a parley amongst 
themselves. The Huguenot leader could speak that 
dialect of the Yemassee or Uchee language, used by these 
tribes, well enough for ordinary purposes and requested 
their chief man to come nearer in his canoe. Immedi- 
ately a canoe with three men in it shot out from the little 
squadron and came alongside. 

D’ Erlach, after greeting the chief pleasantly, told 
him briefly that they “were Frenchmen, not Spaniards, 
and sought the way to Ostinola’s town in peace and 
friendship.” 

“I, myself, will show you,” replied the other, giving 
orders for the rest to return home, and then leading the 
way down the creek. 

So strongly and skillfully did the three Indians ply 


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Florida Historical Tales 


their paddles, chanting a quaint song as they did so, that 
it was with difficulty the six stout oarsmen of the French 
boat could keep up with them. 

The creek now became broader and deeper and its 
banks more beautiful, with towering palms, umbrageous 
overhanging oaks and cedars. 

As they neared a bold mound on the eastern side, 
covered with a fine forest growth, the young chief awoke 
the echoes with a hailing whoop, which brought to the 
shore a group of Indians, men, women and children, 
showing there was here a little village, although from 
the river it could not be seen. A mile, below this place, 
they shot out suddenly into a noble expanse of water,* 
with curving, shelly shores, coves and bays and blue 
woods in the distance; which, farther on, was narrowed 
to a main channel, half a mile in width, leading south- 
ward. 

It was a scene of matchless, yet soft and pleasing, 
rather than majestic beauty; for unlike many other 
lands, there were here no high mountains or rugged cliffs 
and precipices. And yet, although the shores had no 
great elevation, the giant forest growths upon the ridges 
and small hills made them look higher than they were. 

It seemed as if, in making their exit from the creek’s 
mouth, they had entered a new world. Fresh breezes blew 
across the glittering, dancing waters, upon whose shores 
on either hand could be seen the quaint Indian com- 
munal villages, giving token of a numerous peaceful pop- 
ulation. From two or three of these, many canoes shot 
out, evidently to reconnoitre. Converging towards them 

head*of°th^Halifax. Ba ^ 01 T ° m<>ka ^ a broad a ‘ «» 


131 


Story of the Huguenots 

from their several points of approach those who propelled 
these canoes yet were cautious, as if not knowing whether 
it should be peace or war. 

Amused at their evident doubts, Le Bearnois sent 
his bugle notes in all their ringing sweetness far and 
wide over the water. In their astonishment at the un- 
wonted sounds, the like of which they never had heard 
before, those in the canoes stood still like bronze statues 
pictured against the blue skies, with every paddle mo- 
tionless. 

Then the young chief, who was acting as guide and 
herald, recovering from his own surprise, lifted a conch 
shell fashioned into a trumpet and blew such discords as 
grated on the Frenchmen’s ears, Le Bearnois’ especially; 
but which being sounds of peace and amity to those of 
the Indians, set every paddle flashing in the sunlight 
and drove every boat gracefully and swiftly nearer to 
them. Coming within speaking distance, the chief gave 
them a concise and rapid explanation, followed by cries 
of pleasure and welcome on the part of the strangers, 
who joined their crafts in one flotilla, making a strange, 
pleasing, barbaric, gala water scene as they swept on 
southward towards Ostinola’s capital town, the site of 
which was even then in view. 

There were, before the voyage was ended by arrival 
at that place, in the convoy, not less than one hundred 
canoes,* made of hollowed cypress trees of various sizes, 
from war boats thirty feet or more in length down to 


*Note — There is even now to be seen at Ormond one of these 
cypress canoes found buried in the marsh, in the possession of 
Captain Wardwell, showing much skill in its construction. 


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Florida Historical Tales 


light fishing shells that skimmed the river’s surface like 
water birds. It was an escort of honor, as well as curi- 
osity, and often as they rowed along the friendly natives 
begged Le Bearnois to play for them. It seemed as if 
the tutelar deities of these lovely wilds, were in league 
with the player, for the shores sent back the notes with 
far, sweet, faint echoes, which, with the distant croon- 
ing of the surf heard over the peninsula’s wooded ridges, 
made the perfection of harmony. 

When he tired, the boatmen and the rest joined in 
singing the chansonettes of Margarite de Valois until 
tears dimmed their eyes, because of the memories they 
evoked of the home land and other times. 

And so, in peace and welcome, came the Huguenots 
and their escort to Ostinola’s town, where what recep- 
tion awaited them will be duly narrated. 


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Story of the Huguenots 


CHAPTER XX. 

OSTINOLA’S WELCOME— THEY SMOKE THE PIPE OF 
PEACE. 

’Twas the hour of high noon when D’Erlach and his 
Huguenots, escorted by the flotilla of canoes, reached 
the front of Cacique Ostinola’s town. As yet, in this fair 
land, the evil gods had not spoken. The oracles were 
dumb, save only those of sweet, fair nature, speaking 
peace and welcome. 

Halting the flotilla an hundred yards from the west- 
ern shore, the sub-chief, who had guided them, stood up 
in his canoe, and with his conch, blew loud hailing notes, 
promptly answered from the shore. Then signalling for 
all the rest to await his orders, he paddled swiftly to the 
little shelly beach, which was the landing, marked by 
many canoes and a crowd of people, back of whom was a 
little plain covered here and there with palms and oaks 
and cedars, interspersed with gardens and many Indian 
houses, some of which of peculiar build, stood upon large 
shell mounds.* 

This was the mainland side, and while the friendly 
herald was absent, D ’ Erlach noted how pleasant and 
beautiful was the scene. Northward and southward 
stretched the noble river, the like of which was hard to 
bring to mind, though many were the lands he had wan- 

*Note — This spot is now known as the Hernandez hummock, 
near Ormond. 


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Florida Historical Tales 


dered in. No artist could portray its broad bosom; some- 
times smooth as polished steel, sometimes sending from 
its surface, rippling to a gentle breeze, a myriad shower 
of sun-born arrows. Its jutting points, its curves and 
coves, with endless variation of groves of trees and grass 
and flags, all duplicated by reflection in the waters; as 
were the white cloud fragments sailing overhead, and 
the sun itself in all its glory. And over all, through all, 
could be heard the voice of the breakers, never silent day 
or night; sometimes wrathful with the roar of tempest, 
full of storm and battle, but more often voicing the 
enchantment of the universal mother’s nursing song. 

Meantime, a multitude of Indians gathered on the 
shore; adding to the picture as the sunlight fell full upon 
their red brown faces, heron and eagle plumes, stained 
or painted skins and mantles, the human interests 
needed to make it perfect. 

Suddenly, landward turned the eager faces, as the 
measured beat of Indian drums, mingled with the conch 
shell’s wild rude notes, ended in so loud a shout as shook 
the forest and set the wavelets all to dancing. 

Then Itahoma, guide and herald, stood forth at the 
water’s edge and gave the sign of welcome. Whereat, 
with one stroke, five hundred paddles fell upon the water, 
and with one impulse the canoes moved forward before 
D’Erlach’s men could grasp their oars. But dashing 
through the shallow waters, came a dozen agile young men, 
who seized the batteau and rushed it to the shore with ring- 
ing shouts of joy and friendship. 

Men, women and children, thronged the landing. 
None showed a particle of fear. All wore smiles of pleas- 
ant greeting, mixed with looks of awe and wonder. Their 


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Story of the Huguenot a 

expressions seemed to say: “Surely, the gods have come 
again. Let us give them such a welcome they will stay 
with us forever!” 

Some gently touched the garments of the strangers. 
Some knelt upon the ground, and gazed up into their 
faces almost in worship. But eager as they were to give 
expression to their admiration and good will; thrilled 
through every fiber of their being with excitement; so 
much natural grace and courtesy ruled the host, one 
could scarcely deem them the untutored children of 
nature that they were. 

Proud of the honor and distinction, their herald greet- 
ed them and bade them follow. The throng parted right 
and left, as he conducted the little party to where, be- 
neath a spreading live oak, there stood a stately man and 
woman, clad in Indian gala costumes of soft dressed 
skins and brightly stained or dyed woven cloth; the 
former armed with spear, a massive bow and beaded 
quiver of arrows, crowned with a plumed head-dress, 
and looking every inch a chieftain, in his lithe and per- 
fect manliness. While the woman at his side, with limbs 
and form as rounded and well proportioned as a goddess 
carved from tawny marble, seemed by the grace of God 
and Nature, a fit and queenly mate. 

They were recognized at once by D’ Erlach, from 
the description given by the guide on the way thither, 
as the Cacique Ostinola and his wife, Cowena. 

The Chevalier doffed his steel cap and bowed low 
with all the courtly grace of a Frenchman, as did also, 
his followers. 

Then Ostinola, handing spear and bow to an attend- 
ant, stepped forward, and, placing his hand upon D’Er- 


136 Florida Historical Tales 

lach’s breast, said: “Son of the morning skies! Wel- 
come to this land by sea and river. Let us be brothers.” 

Then D'Erlach doing likewise, answered: ‘I greet 
thee, my brother! May there always be peace between 
thee and me, thy people and my people.” 

“ As long as the tides shall flow, the stars sparkle, the 
sun and the moon measure day and night, so be it!” said 
Ostinola, then, to the multitude, “Hear ye, my people! 
These men are our brothers. Henceforth let them be as 
free in this land as ye are; our homes be theirs, for the 
Great Spirit, whose children are in all the earth, has sent 
them to us!” 

There stepped forward now, two old men, neither 
infirm of mind or body, but grave and dignified, bearing 
their marks of age as bravely, as they had the grace and 
"vigor of their long vanished youth. They were so 
wrinkled, their eyes so deep set and their garb so quaint 
and grotesque, that one of the boatmen, a late comer 
with Ribault, whispered to Uhlrich: “Surely, they are 
sorcerers.” 

“Not so, my friend,” answered Uhlrich. ‘They are 
the wise men of the nation, and the bearers of the pipe of 
peace.” 

One carried a reed upon the end of which was an 
earthen bowl, the other, a brand tipped with a live coal. 
The first took from a pouch some dried leaves, with 
which, after rubbing them between the palms of his 
hands, he filled the pipe, to which the other applied the 
fire. When the leaves ignited, the bearer extended the 
pipe at arm length to the north, west, south and east, 


Story of the Huguenots 


137 


chanting an invocation reverently, then handed it to 
Ostinola, who, taking a puff, gave it in turn to D’Erlach 
who did the same and returned it to the pipe-bearer. This 
was the typical ratification of the bond of peace between 
them all, and they were henceforth brethren. 

The air rang with shouts of acclamation; drums beat; 
the clamor of the conch shells was again heard and so 
joyful and exciting was the moment, Le Bearnois un- 
slung his bugle and blew his merriest notes. Amazed, and 
yet thrilled with pleasure; scarce knowing whether or not 
to fall upon their knees, betake themselves incontinently 
to the forest, yet unable to move a step ; the natives ceased 
their own rejoicing sounds, until only the bugle woke the 
forest and river echoes. 

As he ceased, the Cacique’s wife clapped her hands 
and forth came from a house near by a band of girls, 
decked with wreaths of flowers, with bracelets and neck- 
laces of pearly shells and bright red beads; some with 
light mantles of brilliant feather work; others with 
garments made of grass cloth or deer skins, finely dressed 
and soft as velvet. 

These surrounded the group of Frenchmen with 
joined hands, and, at a signal from their leader, began to 
circle about them, facing in and out and changing places; 
keeping time with hands and feet to song and drum 
beat, in such a strange, yet pleasing, mystic way, as was 
bewildering. Each time their leader reached the point 
between the Cacique and D’ Erlach, all lightly touched 
the ground with their knees. This they did three times 
and then vanished as suddenly as they came. 


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Florida Historical Tales 


Thus did Ostinola and his people give a welcome to 
the strangers, crowning it with a feast in his own house, 
of fruits and vegetables from the gardens, fish from the 
river and game from the forest. 


Story of the Huguenots 


139 


CHAPTER XXI. 

OSTINOLA AND HIS PEOPLE— WHAT MANNER OF FOLKS 
THEY WERE. 

The Cacique’s house, to which the Huguenots were 
conducted by their host for dinner, was a large structure 
upon a shell mound, an hundred yards or more from the 
river shore. Upon the western side was an open space 
nearly square, surrounded by many other houses; the 
whole, numerous and large enuogh to accommodate many 
people. Upon another mound near by, was the house of 
the Medicine Men, and yet another similar elevation 
close to the river shore, served as the site of a fire beacon, 
whose light by night and smoke by day, could be seen far 
up and down the river. 

Ostinola, learning from D’ Erlach that his men might 
soon be expected on their march down the beach, sent 
messengers to his people on the other side to await their 
coming and bring them across the river so that all, that 
night, might have a joyous festival. With these mes- 
sengers D’ Erlach sent a written missive to Ottigny and 
Rotrou, stating that they might trust implicitly the 
bearers. And as he wrote it, using Andreas Le Roche’s 
inkhorn, the Indians looked curiously upon him. So he 
told them that the paper would bid his men that they 
should cross the river to meet many friends and fear no 
evil. One said: “Hu! It is a talking leaf!” The mes- 
senger, to whom it was given placed it to his ear and 


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Florida Historical Tales 


said, doubting that it was but jest, “ I hear it not. It 
has no tongue.” Ostinola, however, bade him take it 
and do as he was bidden, which he did, and often after- 
wards, in telling of it, would say, that it was sure, “Mal- 
lchee” (or sorcery) - for when I gave it to the pale face 
chief, his face shone like the sun, and all his men straight- 
way clapped their hands for joy.” 

It is not needful to say that D’Erlach and his com- 
panions did enjoy the repast spread before them, with 
the kindly courtesies of the Cacique and his chief men 
after their many days of toil and peril; and that between 
them there sprang up so strong a feeling of friendship 
and respect, as put away all distrust and suspicion. 

After the feast, D’Erlach sent his brother to the bat- 
teau, to bring some strings of hawks bells, bright Vene- 
tian beads of glass and a spare sword, with the belt that 
held its scabbard. 

The latter he gave to Ostinola, and taught him how 
to wear it; the others he presented to the Cacique’s wife 
and the girl who led the band of maidens, whose name 
was Issena, the daughter of Cowena’s sister. Never had 
they received such gifts before, and it was a great pleas- 
ure to witness their artless delight and wonder over 
them. 

Then they rambled amongst the gardens, by little 
paths that led from one to another. In these gardens 
were still growing, though it was October, many things 
for food and other uses, with signs of lately gathered 
harvests of maize and beans and various roots, and also 
great yellow pumpkins, besides gourds and calabashes of 
huge size, much used, when ripened and dried, for stor- 
age receptacles. There were fruit trees of various kinds, 


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amongst them some still bearing a soft round fruit sweet 
as honey. Also grape vines as large as those of France, 
indeed, some far larger, which in their season, bore fruit 
nearly as fine. 

“And as we went from garden to garden, and from 
house to house our good Cacique told much of his people’s 
history and cutoms, with such grace of manner and 
intelligence it amazed us.” Quoting D’Erlach further: 
“They were a people of medium height, well proportioned 
and very supple. Their complexion not so dark as the 
tribes beyond the River May, nor were they so savage in 
mien or speech. While their dialect was from the same 
language, it was less harsh and almost musical in its in- 
tonations. It may seem strange, but it is true, that in 
the speech of these people there were no words of pro- 
fanity or vulgarity, such as Christian nations use. Their 
features were fine and regular, their foreheads high, 
their eyes lustrous, their countenances full of spirit and 
their manners were so pleasing — not to be excelled by 
the best gentlemen of France — that it was good to be in 
their company. 

“Their garments, although somewhat scanty, set 
forth their figures well, and left them perfect freedom of 
action. They wore a tunic about their loins, leggings 
and moccasins to keep their feet and legs from being torn 
by thorns and brambles; mantles, scarfs and cloaks of 
grass cloth, skins and sometimes feathers nicely woven 
together; with but little difference for the sexes. Some 
winter robes of well-dressed furs were very beautiful, as 
well as comfortable. 

“ But for the most part, in the summer, they used but 
little clothing; it being esteemed no harm amongst them 


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to go nearly naked. Indeed, it was a marvel to see how 
little sun or wind or rain did effect their bodies, when 
yet the stoutest of us would perish if we went in like 
manner. 

“They were fond of ornaments, especially the women, 
who were graceful and easy in all their motions, and al- 
together more comely than was usual with the other In- 
dians we had met. 

“They wore bracelets and necklaces quite skillfully 
made of polished bits of pearly shell, small red beans as 
hard as ivory, large brown or black ones, found on the 
beach, sometimes real pearls; more often polished alli- 
gator teeth; claws of bears, panthers or talons of birds. 
Besides these, though rarely, small ornaments of gold 
and silver, also copper, brought, they affirmed, from a far 
country. 

“When dressed for state occasions the chiefs and 
warriors wore head-dresses of plumes that set them off 
right gallantly, to which, in war times, they added the 
painting of their bodies with dyes and pigments in a way 
which increased not their good looks. 

“At gala times and annual sacred festivals, the 
younger women and girls made much use for ornaments 
of wreaths of flowers and the feathers of brilliant colored 
birds, so that a large concourse, such as gave us greeting 
at this place, was truly a pleasant sight. 

Their weapons for war or the chase were chiefly bows 
and arrows, with whose use they were exceedingly ex- 
pert, being able to set the arrows to the string so fast 
they could be kept in constant flight, wonderfully true to 
the mark. Some of their best archers could set an arrow 
in a tree, and split its shaft with another at twenty paces, 


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143 


or strike a bird in flying, but not having iron to tip them 
with, it required no heavy armor to keep them out. 
Spears, also, they used, which they sometimes cast like 
darts. 

“Macanas, or war clubs, made of hard wood, well 
carved some like maces with spikes of sharpened fish 
bones or flint, the latter rare, being like their metal, 
brought from a distant section — and others with sharp 
edges like swords, which, in close battle, they use to 
cleave their enemies, as if made of steel. 

“There were also battle axes made of stone or shell, 
polished so finely and carved so true that it was wonder- 
ful. But the two things the Cacique was most proud of 
were a battle axe of steel and a knife, both of Spanish 
make, which he said his father had procured many years 
before from one of Ponce de Leon’s soldiers when that 
Spaniard came into the bay at the inlet to the southward . 

“They had no idols or temples, for their god was a 
Great Spirit, whose dwelling was the universe, who was 
always near them, although invisible; to whom they 
prayed in times of tribulation; who sometimes answered 
not, because of their transgressions. But there were, they 
said, many lesser spirits, some good, some bad, whose 
favor they sought in hunting, fishing, love or war; to 
please whom they wore upon their persons as amulets or 
charms, little ugly images carved of wood or bone or 
shell. 

“They were not lacking in other arts needful to them. 

“Their women were expert in making pottery from 
clay found along the river shore — large jars to hold grain, 
meal and seeds, also to cook in, and carry water from the 
wells, and smaller ones to hold their paints and drink 


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Caseena from. (This Caseena is a beverage made from 
the leaves of a certain tree, of which they were fond, es- 
teeming it to give them strength. ) 

“They built large and pleasant houses with rooms 
for many families, in which they lived without strife and 
bickering, for these people held everything in common; 
so that all fared alike and there were none poor or rich 
among them. 

“ These houses were built of strong posts set in the 
ground, with matting over the openings, which could be 
raised or lowered, as the weather should be cold or hot. 
The roofs were thatched with palm leaves, and open in the 
center so that fires could be built in them and the smoke 
escape. Some had upper floors made of hurdles packed 
with clay and divided into rooms opening on the central 
court. All were kept neat and clean. There were no 
fastenings on the doors, for robbers and thieves were 
unknown among them.” 


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145 


CHAPTER XXII. 

TORONITA, THE LAND OF SUNSHINE AND GOOD WILL. 

“In these houses there was but little furniture, for so 
fine and genial is the climate of this land, its inhabitants 
are almost constantly in the open air, which makes them 
healthy and hardy so that but little medicine is needed 
by them. They had couches or settees made of wicker 
work covered with mattings of grass or plaited palmetto 
leaves; also hammocks swung from post to post for sleep- 
ing; but often spread mattings on the floors when crowd- 
ed with guests, whereon they slept as soundly as could be 
wished. 

“They had a great arsenal, or house, wherein they 
kept many weapons of war and the chase, also trophies 
or rare things which they did not need for common use; 
storehouses well filled with provisions and the seed grain 
for future plantings. All these things and many more, 
whereof a skillful clerk might make a great book, did the 
Cacique show to us during the time we tarried with 
him.” 

“The land over which Ostinola ruled as chosen Caci- 
que, because of his skill and wisdom, was not large, but 
had many little towns and villages in it. It extended 
from the headwaters of the creeks to the northward of 
the Huguenot camp, and to the inlet at the south, in- 
cluding both shores of the broad river. The province was 
called Toronita, the Land of Sunshine, and many parts 


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of it were very fertile, while others were but great salt 
marshes, or heaps and ridges of sand covered with forest 
growth, or?great stretches of pine woods in which roamed 
many deer and other wild animals. 

“Altogether, it was a land well fit for men to live in; 
for while the forests were full of game of various kinds, 
the waters abounded with fish, in the catching of which 
these people were very skillful. 

“Pure also was the air and sweet always as the 
breath of spring, with the odors of fragrant trees and 
shrubs and flowers. Although sometimes frosts came 
and chilly days in winter, never fell snow upon its ever 
green robes.” 

There were many months of summer, and the winter 
scarcely to be distinguished from it. Like their climate 
these people were joyous and even tempered, not prone 
to deeds of violent action, save when hard pressed by 
absolute necessity. There was so little occasion for pro- 
longed toil and industry to supply their simple needs, 
that they had much time for pleasure, and nothing suited 
them better than to gather in their villages at stated 
times for festivals and dances, commemorative of the 
seasons or of events in their tribal histor}^. 

At such times also, the older men would recite the 
traditions of the past; or teach their primitive philosophy. 
Chanting and singing, somewhat after the Provencal 
fashion, by their poets, men or women, as the case might 
be, and the music of the flute and drum, added much to 
their enjoyment. 

But there were times, when peril and danger called 
them to show the stronger side of their natures. Times 


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that tested their courage and fidelity, in which they failed 
not to show the metal in them right bravely. 

Let but the war drum beat the call to battle, and 
from every forest path would glide the dusky warriors to 
rally around their chief, and at his bidding do or die for 
land and people. Death, in the cause of right, had no 
terrors and wounds scarcely any pain. 

There were no written laws by which the people were 
governed. But there was a guild of men among them, 
who, by age and good service to the nation, were entitled 
to be the repositories of the mystic rites, ceremonies, 
traditions and precepts, handed down from generation to 
generation, whose counsel was sought both in times of 
peace and war, and from them D’ Erlach learned much of 
the moral code which guided this people. This was as 
simple as they were themselves. “Thou shalt not lie or 
steal or murder; be a corrupter of women, a traitor or a 
coward.” These were the chief things forbidden. To 
deal with each other justly as brethren, was their golden 
rule. 

To some indeed, much of what is written here may 
seem untrue, yet there is not a point that has not been 
endorsed by -the few true and noble minded men of that 
time, who came in contact with the aborigines, such as 
Columbus, Las Casas, Peter Martyr, Herrera, the Inca 
Garcilaso de la Vega, Laudonniere and others who have 
left on record their true testimony. 

The first says, writing to his sovereigns, Ferdinand 
and Isabella, of a kindred race not far to the southward : 

“These people love their neighbors as themselves. 
Their discourse is ever sweet and gentle, accompanied by 


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a smile. I swear to your majesties, there is not in the 
world a better nation or a better land.” 

Would Las Casas have been moved by pity to plead 
so nobly and pathetically as he did, for mere cruel bar- 
barous savages? Or Peter Martyr left, signed and sealed 
for future ages, these declarations: 

“It is certain that the land among these people is as 
common as thefsun and|water; and that ‘ mine and thine/ 
the seeds of all mischief, have no place with them! They 
are content with so little, that in so large a country they 
have superfluity rather than scarceness; so that they seem 
to live in a golden world without toil, in open gardens, 
neither intrenched or shut up by walls or hedges. They 
deal truly with one another, without laws or books or 
judges!” 

And so, too, the son of the Incas, Garcilasco de la 
Vega, in his living pages, bears witness to the native, 
natural graces of the aboriginal inhabitants, whose feet 
no longer trace paths from one communal village to 
another, in the lands that gave them birth. 

And the monster of destruction, whose insatiate maw 
consumed them all, proudly boasted the name of Chris- 
tian civilization (?). Greedy of gold and power, the real 
gods it worshipped then as now, it exalted the cross, and 
to save souls in Heaven made a hell on earth more terrible 
and horrible than ever Dante described or Dore pictured. 

Trampling under foot every precept of justice and 
humanity, it turned fiends loose upon this once Arcadian 
land, to blacken with deeds of shame and dishonor the 
records of human history for all time to come. Nay, the 
bloody work of sword and arquebus and lash, cutting the 
quivering flesh to the bone, the hecatombs of millions 


Story of the Huguenots 


149 


slaughtered without stint or mercy, are not all the worst. 
The enforced degradation of the descendants of these 
people almost to the level of the brutes, by inoculating 
them with the vices of inhuman civilization, is a greater 
crime against both God and man. And then not content 
with filling the measure of cruel deeds, this same civili- 
zation, as cruel and remorseless now in its silks and 
broadcloths as in those days of blood-stained armor, 
points its finger in scorn at the shattered skulking rem- 
nants of the ruined race, and says: “Let them die, for 
they are beasts, not men!” 


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CHAPTER XXIII 

THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAIN BODY OF THE HUGUE- 
NOTS AND WHAT FOLLOWED. 

Towards evening a column of smoke rose from the 
central ridge of the peninsula across the river which was 
a signal that the main body of the Huguenots had reach- 
ed the vicinity. Meantime there had also quietly gather- 
ed many more people in the town, some by water in 
canoes, and others by paths through the forests, until 
it seemed as if all of the inhabitants of the province had 
gathered to do honor to their guests. Canoes were sent 
over to the other side and soon there was another water 
pageant presented, by the transportation of the little 
army and all the dwellers in the village on the eastern 
shore, across the river. It was a gay and pleasant sight 
as the fleet of canoes came breasting the rays of the set- 
ting sun, making a picture in the brilliant reflections 
from polished arms and armor — with the two banners yet 
left to the Huguenots, the flag of Rotrou’s ship, the 
Dolphin, and the banner of D’ Erlach — which would have 
delighted the soul of Jacques LeMoyne de Morgues had 
he been there to paint it. 

There was another reception not less pleasing and 
fraternal than the first, after which quarters in two of 
the largest buildings of the town were given to the 
Frenchmen, who were liberally supplied with all they 
needed, the leaders being entertained by the chief him- 
self, who spared no pains to make them welcome. 


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151 


“This night/’ said Ostinola, “shall be given up to 
peace and pleasure. You are all my guests and shall 
share the best we have. Tomorrow, if it pleases you, 
we will meet in council, and whatsoever you decide 
it shall be done. See! Here comes my best hunters, 
and the Great Spirit has deigned to smile upon them!” 

There came a party, some carrying between them a 
great bear, the arrows wherewith it had been slain still 
sticking in it; others carrying deer, wild turkey, other 
game and fish, so plentiful indeed, that with the stores 
at hand there was no dearth with any. Never were the 
Frenchmen better regaled, and though the remembrance 
of their misfortunes was still fresh upon them, the kind- 
ness and good will shown by Ostinola and his people 
cheered their very hearts. 

That night the central square was lighted with torches 
and after the Indians, under the leadership of their 
chiefs, had made a display of their national ceremonies, 
illustrating their skill in war and hunting; engaged in 
weird but pleasing mystic rites, whereby they signified 
the completion of the bond of brotherhood between them; 
the Frenchmen in their turn, with the trumpeters, Le 
Bearnois and Luigo, also some mandolin players, who 
had kept their instruments through all their difficulties, 
to make music for them — undertook to teach the French 
way of dancing and merry-making to their red friends, 
whereat they all enjoyed themselves right royally. 

It was not difficult indeed with pupils so full of grace 
and suppleness naturally as the forest maidens were, to 
teach them how to do their parts as well or even better 
than their white sisters might have done. Nay, for many 
years thereafter, there were some, who, over their tank- 


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ards under the vine-clad arbors of their native land, told 
how the younger brother of their leader, with the Princess 
Issena, led a dance the like of which for grace and beauty 
was never seen at the King's court. 

So well fared the whole band of Huguenots, that they 
besought their leaders to let them tarry awhile in Toro- 
nita and rest themselves, and seeing that they had much 
need of it to brace them for the hardships yet to come? 
D' Erlach presented their petition to Ostinola, who was 
as greatly pleased to grant it as they had desire for it. 
So, when the festival ended at a late hour, the trumpeters 
called attention and a proclamation was made, that on 
the morrow, which was the last day of the week, they all 
should have perfect freedom so that they stayed within 
bugle call, while a council would be held with their new 
friends and allies to settle on the future plan of action. 
Caution was also given that they were in no wise to do 
aught by word or deed that might offend, for such as did 
so far forget their duty and honor, as to forfeit the good 
will of their hosts, should be severely punished; which 
warning proved to be needless. 

At the council were present, besides the leaders of 
the Huguenots, Ostinola, Itahoma and a number of other 
chiefs and head men, renowned for valor and discretion; 
to whom D’ Erlach concisely recounted their condition 
and all the events preceding. While he spoke there 
was grave silence amongst them all, though many glances 
of intelligence passed between them, showing that 
the main facts were already known to them. Es- 
pecially was this the case when he told of the cruel, 
treacherous character of the Spaniards and their atro- 
cious deeds. “As for himself and his followers there 


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was no choice but to face their foes sword in hand and 
give them battle, trusting in the God of right and justice 
for victory and deliverance.” 

“I doubt not my friends, that it will not be long ere 
the Spaniard seeks to set his iron heel upon you, as he 
did upon my dead brethren, who had harmed him not. 
We came as friends across the great waters and landing 
first upon your shores sought but to make for ourselves a 
peaceful home. The Spaniards came, not only to de- 
stroy us, but to take from you your lands and liberties, as 
they have done wherever their feet have trodden. Will 
you permit it? Will you turn your friends away and 
folding your hands let these robbers and murderers work 
their will? I trow not! Though they have many great 
ships that sail the seas and pour forth thunder from their 
sides, and they are clad in armor that will turn or break 
many an arrow shaft. The odds may be great against 
you, and were there any safe course for you to avoid con- 
flict with them, I would say take it and let us go, but 
there is not.” 

Then uprose the oldest man among them and clearly 
recited the tales of former Spanish invasion and how 
despite their armor, their cannon, their arquebuses and 
swords of keen shining metal, they had at last left but 
their bones to whiten the land they came to conquer. 

Lastly, Ostinola addressed them, showing that 
wisdom and judgement, which made him see the peril for 
the future for which he was renowned, but displaying the 
fearless courage of the hero ready to face all dangers. 

The conclusion arrived at was that D’ Erlach and 
such of his men as chose, should stay with them to help 
drive back the Spaniards, if they came, while the rest 


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should be assisted on their return to the wrecks, for 
which purpose a fleet of canoes should be detailed, 
chiefly to carry provisions to supply them while they 
worked to build or repair a vessel, and returning bring 
back arms and material useful to repel the expected in- 
vasion, which was not long in coming. 


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155 


CHAPTER XXIV 

HOW CACIQUE OSTINOLA ENTERTAINED THE HUGUE- 
NOTS— THE BATTLE OF MATANZAS. 

It was no small task which the Cacique took upon 
himself to entertain his guests, but it was one in which 
all the people gladly joined. 

To old and young alike, it seemed a festal occasion 
and there was naught which they could do to give the 
Huguenots rest, refreshment and pleasure, that they did 
not. 

There were boating and fishing parties upon the 
water; some went with the hunters and scoured the 
adjacent forests; others mended their garments or washed 
them, polished their weapons and such armor as they 
wore; and even those who were sick or wearied with 
their hardships, under the gentle ministration tendered 
with open hands and warm hearts, rapidly recovered 
their spirits. 

Of all the people who have landed in the past times 
on American shores, the French, whether Protestant or 
Catholic, stand first in humane treatment of the aborigi- 
nes and in the readiness with which they fraternized 
with them. This is true of them, whether tracking the 
snows of the North or striving to plant their colonies 
in the sunny Southland. 

Sunday, while not rigidly kept by all the Huguenots 
as a day of worship, had its simple yet impressive ser- 
vices, to witness and participate in which, all the army 


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and the people gathered in the shade of the great live 
oaks, under one of which was erected a stand for their 
preacher — the same who led the thanksgiving at Le Camp 
Renconte Felice — Andreas Le Roche. His text was 
David’s prayer that God would revenge him on his foes. 
The Indians, although they comprehended but little, 
behaved in a most exemplary manner, believing rightly 
that it was a sacred ceremony of their white friends. 

Four days the little army tarried in Toronita and 
then a fleet of canoes having been gathered for the pur- 
pose, with Indian oarsmen under Itahoma, the main 
body in charge of Rotrou, embarked to proceed as far as 
they could by water on the return to Canaveral; D’ Er- 
lach remaining with thirty men to watch the Spanish 
advance and aid Ostinola to prepare against aggression. 

Ten days after, Itahoma returned with such military 
and other supplies as were needed, especially of cloth- 
ing; the Indians at Canaveral in whose charge every- 
thing had been left, having carefully and faithfully dis- 
charged their trust. There were a number of pikes and 
battleaxes given to Ostinola with which to arm a portion 
of his warriors. 

On the 10th of November, a courier from the north- 
ern settlement came in, with the report that fifty armed 
Spaniards had landed at Matanzas and were engaged in 
building a stockade fort, from which annoying scouting 
parties would doubtless be sent forth. 

To prevent this, D’ Erlach with his men and Ostinola 
with two hundred Indians, immediately departed for 
the head of the river by canoe, the water way enabling 
them to get within a short distance of the enemy. 

That night, they camped in a hummock less than a 


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157 


league from Matanzas and sent out scouts to ascertain 
and report concerning the Spaniards. 

They confirmed the statements of the courier, and so 
at dawn the little army of allies moved upon the enemy. 
The Spanish sentinels were alert, and as the Frenchmen 
in the van emerged into the open space cleared for the 
stockade, fired their arquebuses and fell back to the camp. 
Le Bearnois’ bugle blew the charge. Fierce war cries 
echoed far and wide. A flight of arrows filled the air, 
falling like stinging hail upon the Spaniards, followed 
by a volley from the French arquebuses. “Drop your 
arquebuses, my men, and charge these murderers of your 
comrades with pike and halberd! To close quarters and 
strike home!” commanded D’Erlach, himself leading 
the way. 

Confused somewhat, as they were, by the sudden 
attack, the Spaniards yet rallied manfully to the defense; 
and in a moment the little grove of trees in which they 
had encamped, bordering the Matanzas, rang with scat- 
tering shots of arquebuses, the clash of steel on steel, and 
the war cries of the combatants. 

Unused to firearms, and little used to hand-to-hand 
fighting, it required all of Ostinola's influence to keep 
his followers from flight, but, armed with only a buckler 
for armor, he threw himself into the hottest of the fray 
as gallantly as D’Erlach himself, and so shouting their 
wild war cries, they from emulation kept pace with him, 
although never in all their lives had they faced such ter- 
rible foes. 

Compelled to desert the camp itself by the fierce on- 
slaught of their foes, the Spaniards, commanded by Fer- 
nan Perez, fell back to the landing behind piles of tim- 


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ber accumulated for the stockade and there made a stub- 
born defense. Side by side with D’Erlach was Uhlrich, 
and in the close contest more than once, his halberd 
turned aside the spear point thrust at his leader, to be 
requited in turn by the dexterous sword play of the 
Chevalier. 

To both, it seemed this day, as if danger and des- 
perate peril of death were joy, for they were now meet- 
ing their deadly enemies on equal terms, and were de- 
termined on revenge for La Caroline and Ribault’s 
slaughter. 

In one of the passage ways between the piles of tim- 
ber, these two met Perez and a stalwart Biscayan, 
whom Uhlrich recognized as the one whose dagger blow 
had been so nearly fatal to him. 

“Deal thou with Fernan Perez, Chevalier!” said 
Uhlrich. “Here’s at thee, thou dog of an assassin, Diego 
Diaz!” For he was one of the “ Matadors” whose hands 
were so lately red with the blood of Ribault and his com- 
rades. Throwing aside their pikes as too clumsy for such 
close quarters, Uhlrich and Diaz closed with one another 
so fiercely that it was a wonder both were not disabled 
at the first charge. 

Meantime D’Erlach and Perez also came within 
sword reach of each other. Both were skillful swords- 
men. Sometimes above their heads flashed the glitter- 
ing steel in air, meeting and clashing together, or glanc- 
ing off buckler and steel cap, or deadly thrust met coun- 
ter guard. 

The Spaniard’s sword was heaviest, but the French 
man more than made up the difference in weight of metal 
by the superb skill with which he handled his weapon. 


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159 


. In the vei T mid st of the fight, five of six of the Span- 
iards ran to the landing, where was a culverin intended 
for the stockade when it should be completed, and hast- 
ened to load it and train it upon this very gap, now the 
center of attack. 

“Bid Ostinola’s archers send their heaviest volleys 
of arrows on the culverin party !” shouted D’Erlach to one 
of his men, standing on the defensive for a moment. 

This emboldened Perez, who, making a tremendous 
assault with his sword point which D’Erlach caught 
upon his buckler, left his side exposed and in a moment 
was transfixed by his opponent’s blade; over his body fell 
that of Diaz, and as the two went down, there arose cries 
from the Spaniards to retreat to the boats. 

The Spaniards now were desperately pressed. They 
realized the day was lost and all that could be done was 
to save themselves as best they might. Sullenly, those 
left of them unhurt, formed a rear guard to hold their 
assailants in check, while the wounded got aboard the 
boats; then they pulled out into the stream followed by 
arrows, bullets, and loud shouts of triumph from the vic- 
tors. Eight of their number, including their leader, were 
killed outright, four were left as prisoners, and many of 
those who had escaped on the boats were more or less 
severely wounded. 

On the other hand not one of the Frenchmen had 
been killed, although several were wounded, but none 
seriously. The Indians had suffered more severely, los- 
ing several killed and more wounded, their mishaps 
coming chiefly from their lack of skill and knowledge and 
reckless courage, after they were once aroused to battle. 


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CHAPTER XXV. 

THE ATJ. TF.fi GAIN A VICTORY— THE BURIAL OF THE 
WARRIORS. 

It was with grim satisfaction that the Huguenots, at 
last the victors in a fair combat with their enemies, pro- 
ceeded to gather up the provisions, material and muni- 
tions left behind by the flying Spaniards, first caring for 
their wounded as well as their appliances permitted and 
then burying the dead Spaniards; after which they 
threw the culverin into the river and fired the piles of 
stockade timber, enough of which was reserved to lash 
into a raft that would serve to carry the four prisoners 
across the strait; for on investigation it was found they 
were not implicated, directly or indirectly, in the late 
massacres, being arrivals on one of Melendez’ belated 
vessels; so after taking their parole on oath, they were 
sent across to Anastasia Island, to find their way to St. 
Augustine as best they could. 

Some of the Huguenots were indignant at their 
release, claiming that no Spaniards should have mercy 
shown them for they gave none. But the word of their 
commander sufficed to bring them to the side of clem- 
ency, and so the prisoners were released, with a message 
to Melendez, forbidding any further invasions into the 
territory of Ostinola. “For,” said D’Erlach to them, 
“should your treacherous master send any more of his 
assassins and robbers into this country, by the help of 
God and my good sword, they shall be even as these 


Story of the Huguenots 


161 


eight are whom you leave behind. Go now! And thank 
God that you fell into the hands of men, whom you call 
heretics, but who are not such barbarians as the Span- 
iards.” 

Thus mercifully dealt this leader of the Huguenots 
with his disarmed defenseless enemies, in sight of the 
very spot where Melendez and his men had basely and 
cruelly slaughtered his comrades. Not from motives of 
policy or with any hope of modifying the relentless, cruel 
disposition of th?, Adelantado; not even from the desire 
to show that Frenchmen were more noble-hearted than 
the Spaniards, but for humanity’s sake. 

Whatever was the true reason; race, religion, or the 
better appreciation of the fundamental principles of 
humanity, which the French have more commonly shown 
than their neighbors; inured as he was, with all men of 
that age, to scenes of carnage and battle; ready at what 
he deemed to be the call of duty or honor, to throw him- 
self into the thickest of the fray at a moment’s notice, 
D’ Erlach was equally ready after the conflict was over 
to respond to the voice of mercy. 

Having disposed of the Spaniards, dead and living, 
there occurred another event which may be of sufficient 
interest to describe. 

THE BURIAL OF THE WARRIORS. 

Three of the Indians had been killed in the attack; a 
fourth was mortally wounded and in a few hours died 
surrounded by his companions, chanting until his lips 
stiffened and could no more give utterance to the words, 
the immemorial death song of the aborigines. 

Then the chief took the warrior’s bow, snapped the 
bow string and placed it upon his breast, folding his arms 


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over it as had been done with the others. Biers were 
made of crossed spears and the bodies were carried a 
little way southward along the river to a high knoll, over- 
looking its basin, whose summit was first cleaned of 
grass and shrubs, then leveled and covered with a layer 
of moss and leaves, upon which the four bodies were 
arranged with their heads to the center, marked by a 
coquina stone. 

Then led by the Cacique himself, the whole band 
marched and counter-marched around the place of bur- 
ial, to the measured cadence of a funeral chant, timed 
by war drums, but not so loud as to drown the wail of 
human voices, mingling with the solemn sound of the 
not distant surf; a most fitting and impressive accom- 
paniment to these last services, bestowed upon the dead 
by their living comrades. This finished, Ostinola step- 
ped inside the circle, and like one calling the roll of a 
company, spoke the four dead men's names, pausing each 
time as if for answer, then he said: 

“ Behold, my brethren, these men answer not the call 
of their chieftain! The day is far spent, yet they sleep. 
I cannot arouse them by speaking their names." 

“ Listen! I will call them to the chase! Join me in 
the hunters’ cry!" Then the air resounded with such 
cries as the Indians are wont to make when they have 
brought the game to bay and send upon it a shower of 
arrows. 

“ They stir not ! They answer not ! Deep is the spell 
of the sleep god upon them. Once more will I strive 
to awaken them. If there be any spirit in them they 
will arise — Men of Toronita, let the war drums sound! 
Give voice to the war cry! The foe is here!" 


Story of the Huguenots 


163 


So said, so done! Out over the sand dunes and val- 
leys rang the combined sounds, making the leaves tremble; 
startling the eagles and ospreys overhead; dying in 
faint echoes against the fronts of the far hummocks 
and when silence came, again Ostinola spoke. 

“These were good men and true. Never before have 
they failed to answer the summons to the chase or bat- 
tle. It is because they cannot. Not sloth, nor sleep, nor 
fear hold them back. Their quivers are empty, their 
bow strings are broken. Their spirits are in that land 
from whence none ever return, save in dreams and vis- 
ions. They have died in battling bravely to drive back 
the enemy from their native land. They have won rest 
and happiness in the land of spirits. Peace be with them 
evermore.” 

Then a covering of moss and leaves was placed over 
the dead warriors. Earth and shell heaped upon them, 
to this day marking their burial place with grass and 
flowers, more enduring than the marble shaft gnawed by 
the tooth of Time, overthrown by earthquake, or shat- 
tered by lightning. 


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CHAPTER XXVI 

THE RETURN— ERNEST AND ESSENA— THE STORY THAT 
IS OLD, BUT EVER NEW. 

The Huguenots joined with the Indians in their funer- 
al rites, for already so close was their community of inter- 
ests and sympathies, the narrow confines of creeds did 
not separate them. This they did, led by their chaplain, 
Le Roche, standing with uncovered heads, while he com- 
mended the souls of the slain to the keeping of the Al- 
mighty. Then, laden with the spoils of the Spaniards, 
which were not inconsiderable, they retraced their steps 
to the camp and from thence on the next day returned to 
Ostinola’s town where they were received with great 
rejoicing, although there was sorrow for the four brave 
warriors who had lost their lives, especially on the part 
of their wives and children. 

In accordance with their custom on such occasions, 
the women retired together to a building called the house 
of sorrow and there fasted and mourned for the dead three 
days; after which they resumed their usual duties, re- 
ceiving many tokens of respect and affection as widows 
of distinguished warriors, while their children were 
solemnly adopted as wards of the nation. 

In such respects, these poor savages, could well teach 
a lesson to the civilized nations which too often utterly 
fail to recognize the patriotic sacrifices made in their de- 
fense, or if they do in a measure remember them, it is by 
piling up monuments of marble and giving to the widows 


Story of the Huguenots 


165 


and orphans the fragments chipped from the original 
blocks instead of bread. 

From the prisoners D’ Erlach learned that Melendez 
had nearly recovered from the results of Ottigny’s on- 
slaught upon him, and that he was expecting the arrival 
of several vessels with men, supplies and horses, for his 
colony at St. Augustine, about the Christmas times. 

The repulse given to the detachment led by Fernan 
Perez and his death, would doubtless deter any further 
attempt at finishing the destruction of the Huguenots 
until after that date. He reasoned also, that when the 
attack was made, it would be directly upon the post at 
Canaveral and probably take the form of a combined 
naval and land assault. The Chevalier prepared to join 
the main body immediately. At Ostinola’s request he 
left Uhlrich and Ernest with ten arquebusiers and the 
wounded, seven in number, at the village to await fur- 
ther orders. These, with Ostinola’s warriors, now 
imbued with confidence by the recent victory, could hold 
in check at least, any probable land expedition of the 
Spaniards until they could be reinforced. With the rest, 
D’ Erlach embarked in the batteau, to which had been 
affixed a mast with a sail made from one of the captured 
tents, and with a strong northeast wind sped rapidly 
southward, having an Indian pilot on board. 

Under ordinary circumstances, Ernest would have 
been very loth to part with his brother, but the circum- 
stances were not ordinary. He was a favorite guest of 
the Cacique; his ambition was gratified by being placed 
in charge of the little company, his first military com- 
mand; and — what was doubtless of more weight — a 
strong attachment had sprung up in his young heart for 


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the flower of Toronita, the Princess Issena (so called 
by all). What was she? Only an Indian girl — a daughter 
of the sun and dew — a wild flower of the forest, a later Eve, 
and if the chronicles be not amiss, as true an one as she of 
Eden. 

It is written: “There never was a fawn in all the 
forests more light and graceful in form and motion; 
never a bird that could sing a sweeter song; never a 
flower in any garden with a brighter face, and never beat 
in any bosom a truer, more faithful heart. So winsome 
in her natural ways was she, that it is no wonder our 
lord’s brother” (this was written after the Chevalier had 
become the Seigneur D’Erlach,) “straightaway lost his 
heart to her, for indeed there was not one amongst us, 
but would have been her willing slave, had she but 
deigned to say that it would please her.” 

From the very first, the day when Ostinola gave the 
Huguenots a royal welcome, they had felt drawn to each 
other, yet neither knew why. With him, at first, it was 
simply surprise and admiration at her supple grace of 
motion, the brightness and beauty of face and form, the 
simple dignity of her carriage; but as the days went on, 
there were so many qualities of mind and nature con- 
stantly showing forth, that it ended in his complete 
surrender. 

He was not learned in books; for in those days few 
save the clergy had much such knowledge. Books were 
far scarcer than swords and armor, and the master of the 
camp more common than the teacher. 

But he could teach her the language of La France, 
and as he knew them all by heart the chaplain, when he 
departed, loaned him the little priceless book of hymns 


Story of the Huguenots 


167 


and poems with which he could instruct his willing 
pupil, in the rudiments of letters. He could also play 
the mandolin, and her deft fingers soon acquired the 
master’s skill to sweep its strings. 

Then there was a fairy world he could open up to her 
mind, in the stories of his native land that he loved to 
tell her, oftentimes as much by signs as words, as they 
floated on the river or sat beside the lightwood fire at 
eventide. And there were the marvels of land and ocean 
he had seen, and many other things to which she listened 
with rapt attention, as he described them. 

While she in turn recited to him the traditions of 
the past, sang him the quaintest songs, and taught him 
the Indian names of flowers and birds, trees and plants, 
and all other objects in the little world around them. 
Indeed, there were so many things that she could teach 
him, that he often felt abashed in her presence, because 
of his ignorance. 

Life was free to both. Whether by water or by land 
it mattered not whither they went. Passion as yet had 
not come to rock their souls to their centers as the earth- 
quake does the earth. 

It was the rosy dawn with them, when, cool, sweet 
purity of dews and morning zephyrs — the waking songs 
of birds — reigned supreme. That time in the poor lives 
of mortals their souls are nearest heaven; ere yet the 
scorching day heats come to wither the delicate flowers 
and fill the soul with fiery madness. That time, the 
poet souls of all races, kindreds and tongues, have sung 
of as the Eden day dawn, which was at the beginning 
and is forever, symbolized by all that is beautiful and 
lovely in earth and heaven. 


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CHAPTER XXVII 

THE HUGUENOT EXPLORATIONS— A VOYAGE DOWN 
THE COAST TO CANAVERAL. 

But little of the southern portion of these land-locked 
tide waters and their immediate shores had D’ Erlach 
and his companions in the batteau seen before, for on 
their advance by land from the scene of the wrecking of 
the squadron to Matanzas, their march had been on the 
seaward side over the beach, which in his own words he 
described as “ one of the finest in the world; being smooth, 
hard and broad enough for a large army to march over 
in ranked battalions, and though the sun might shine 
ever so brightly, moist with the tides and cooled by 
sea winds, seldom hot and uncomfortable.” The ab- 
sence of streams of fresh water, however, had made 
a resort to the wells at the Indian villages on the inner 
shores occasionally necessary, and on these visits only 
had they any views of this section of the country. 

Now, however, the whole beautiful panorama was 
before them, each hour bringing a shifting of the scene, 
though all in perfect harmony. 

Two leagues below Ostinola’s town they came to an 
island, separated from the mainland by a salt marsh and 
a shallow winding creek behind which, and stretching a 
mile or more along the river shore, were the villages of 
Azalatowah, facing others on the peninsula side, each 
with shell mounds and little gardens very pleasant to 
the sight and containing quite a large population. 


Story of the Huguenots 


169 


Indeed, there were more people here than at the 
town where the Cacique resided, and here was the orig- 
inal capital town of the tribe. 

There was much rich land in the vicinity and more 
oyster reefs and bars in the river and a great abundance 
of fish. D’Erlach had examined the place during the 
resting time after the departure of the main body, with 
Ostinola, and had advised the latter to put up under 
Uhlrich’s direction stockade defenses and in case of Spanish 
invasions to be prepared to retreat to it, as a more de- 
fensible position, both river and landward sides. 

The breeze was fresh and fair and so they sailed on 
over the sunbright waters, only answering from time to 
time the friendly hails from either shore. Passing the 
southern point, jutting out into the main channel of the 
river which marked that boundary of the settlement, 
they sped on as if their boat had wings, over a broad bay, 
then passing another island, fairly white with herons, 
they entered a tortuous maze of mangrove islands and 
oyster reefs which extended to the inlet, in the neighbor- 
hood of which they were regaled at a village; where was 
a huge shell mound conspicuous from a distance; ruled 
over by a Cacique who was a friend and ally of Ostinola, 
and who, although doubtful at the first, whether his 
strange visitors might not be Spaniards, whom their tra- 
ditions of former visits had taught them to be wary of, 
on hearing the report of their pilot received the whole 
party with pleasant welcome. 

Still the many mangrove islets lined their way, as 
from this place they sailed on southward, threading them 
by such winding devious channels they were glad they had 
a pilot to direct them, until at evening they reached a 


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high mound,* which seemed almost a mountain, from 
whose summit they could look far seaward, and south- 
ward over some wooded islands, beyond which stretched 
a great lagoon; whose waters sent back all the glowing 
colors of a gorgeous sunset in a thousand tints beyond 
the painter’s art to imitate. Here also was an Indian 
settlement whose inhabitants received them gladly, as 
was their custom to the last, regarding the Frenchmen, 
for from their first contact, kindness had begotten friend- 
ship, broken by no hostile act, and not forgotten even in 
dire misfortune. 

The general course of these waters was south with 
an easterly trend, and they were separated from the 
ocean only by a barrier which in some places was almost 
narrow enough for storm waves to leap over. All “ aboun- 
ded in fish and oysters, also large turtles, caught often 
by the natives sleeping on the surface of the water, 
or in traps and nets, they being excellent for food. Huge 
reptiles, called alligators, very much like the crocodiles 
of Egypt and India, but not so savage or feared by the 
inhabitants, were seen by us frequently; but as their 
skins are so tough as to turn spear point and bullet, and 
their flesh not to be prized for meat, no one disturbed 
them. 

“ Small sharks — which were not dangerous, however, 
to fishers wading in the waters or bathers, and immense 
sawfish, as they are called from their upper jaws pro- 
jecting in the shape of a saw blade and being set with 
teeth, abounded; also porpoises or dolphins in great num- 
bers. It was marvelous how many were the fish of all 


♦Note — Turtle Mound, on the Hillsboro south of New Smyrna. 
It has long been a land mark to sailors, along the coast. 


Story of the Huguenots 


171 


kinds in these waters, the supply being kept up con- 
stantly from the sea; some of them being so grotesque in 
form and appearance that it seemed as if nature in this 
secluded region had much leisure to invent, as well as 
desire to multiply, strange creations. 

“ There was a great flat fish covered with a rough 
skin, having the mouth set with strong teeth more like 
those of a land animal than a fish, and having a long tail 
armed with barbed stingers or darts, whose wounds the 
Indians very much feared, being painful and dangerous 
to life. These darts were a palm breadth long and often 
used as arrow heads by the natives. 

“ We wondered very much at some large aquatic ani- 
mals, for such they are, which grazed on the moss and 
weeds growing in many places on the bottoms of the 
deeper pools, especially where fresh water streams come 
in from the interior, in herds like cattle. They have no 
legs or feet, nor fins like fish, but are more like seals. 
Their flesh is esteemed by the Indians, but to us it was 
not very palatable. These water cows (or manatees) 
are not easily captured as they seldom come into shallow 
water or on shore, but when one is caught and killed a 
whole village will feast abundantly. 

“Of wild fowl there is no end. Oftimes we would 
sail for hours through such immense flocks of ducks that 
they could scarcely swim or fly, they were so much in 
each others way; and when they did rise on the wing 
the noise they made was like distant thunder. Some- 
times an arquebus shot amongst them would kill many, 
although fired at random. An expert bowman could with 


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ease secure as many as he wished and very fat they were 
and good to eat.”* 


*Note — Even almost to the present year, Andreas La Roche’s 
description of this section of the coast waterways, called the Hali- 
fax, Hillsboro and Mosquito Lagoons, is correct in every respect 
except as to the Indian villages, the only remains of which are the 
shell mounds. 


Story of the Huguenots 


173 


CHAPTER XXVIII 

THE CANAVERAL SHORE— THEY FLOAT THE DOLPHIN. 

At the extreme southern end of the lagoon, where it 
was separated from a corresponding body of water by a 
narrow neck of land and also from the ocean by a similar 
strip, they reached on the next day the vicinity of the 
wrecks. 

It was here one of the vessels, L’Etoile, came ashore 
and its battered hulk, stripped of masts, tackle and all 
portable articles, still remained a melancholy relic of the 
great storm. A short distance below was the hull of the 
Dolphin, the ship which Rotrou had commanded. It 
being staunch and new had so far resisted the power of the 
breakers, and by taking out of it all heavy articles, with 
anchors and strong cables seaward, they had tried to 
float it. 

Near this, upon a sandy knoll, a rude stockade with 
huts had been erected and here were stored in hopes of 
final embarkation, everything of value rescued from the 
wrecks. 

As the days went by in apparently futile endeavors, 
the hearts of the poor Huguenots had grown faint and 
sick. There was such a wild, strange wilderness of land 
and water around them, with the great ocean barring 
their way back to their native land. Morning and even- 
ing they gazed over its restless bosom hoping, yet dread- 
ing to see the white gleam of far off sails. The odds were 
so great that when they did see them they would not 


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bear the flag of France or of friends. A little handful of 
people, whom their king loved not and in his treacherous 
heart had given up to the Spanish wolf, to do as he 
pleased with — the sails when they did show -up were 
most likely to be those of their enemies, from whom they 
had but lately barely escaped with their lives. 

It need not be said D’ Erlach and his men were re- 
ceived with welcome, and the news of their victory over 
the Spaniards at Matanzas, for the time being, infused 
new life into them. Especially did it encourage Ottigny, 
LeCaille and Rotrou, the latter of whom, foreseeing pos- 
sible failure in getting the Dolphin off the bar, had 
nearly completed a shallop, with which to navigate the 
inland waters or, perhaps, with good fortune, capture 
amongst the islands and keys to the southward, some 
Spanish craft. The Bahamas were not far distant, and 
they were much frequented by the Spaniards, who made 
a practice of visiting these islands and carrying off the 
natives in great numbers to Hispaniola and Cuba as 
slaves, until they were eventually depopulated. The 
shallop was soon launched successfully and the time 
came for the final attempt to float the Dolphin. It was 
an open roadstead exposed to the northeast gales, but 
the weather since the great storm had been mild and 
quiet. 

The tides were now beginning to increase and there 
was a strain upon her moorings and a slight uneasy mo- 
tion which showed that the ship was on the point of 
floating. To assist in this Rotrou had attached floats 
of timber and empty casks to its sides and one morning 
near the end of November, the trial was made to kedge it 
off. 


Story of the Huguenots 


175 


Several anchors had been carried out, with the 
cables brought on board to the windlass. At the moment 
the tide lifted her free of the sand, a strain was put on 
them. 

There was a moment of supreme suspense. A breaker 
coming against her made her tremble. “She moves!” 
shouted one. “Nay, she moves not!” exclaimed another. 
“Heave on the windlass, lads!” cried Rotrou. “Steady 
and all together.!” 

When the cables were strained almost to parting, a 
great roller coming in lifted her off the bottom and the 
vessel moved forward. Seizing upon this hint every suc- 
ceeding swell was utilized in like manner. But progress 
was slow and it was not until two days thereafter that 
deep enough water was reached to float the ship freely. 
It was then found there were so many leaks in the hull 
that it could not be kept afloat without pumping. 

So some were kept busy at this, while others were 
employed in bending on the sails so that she could be 
taken to the inlet, beached and caulked. 

What gladness and rejoicings there were, when once 
more sail was hoisted on the Dolphin! With what cheer- 
ful shouts they welcomed the rising to the masthead of 
their own flag! They wept and laughed by turns. 
Leaped and frolicked like children. There were some 
pieces of artillery which had been brought ashore and 
with them was fired the first salute that ever awakened 
the echoes of this coast. 

Long afterwards the Indians told of the day of 
thunder, when there were no clouds. 

The drums beat. Luigo’s bugle played every strain 
of joy known to him and there was no cessation of re- 


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joicing amongst those temporarily left behind to care for 
the stores, when Rotrou filled away on the seaward tack 
to make an offing for the inlet. 

Fortune was once more smiling on them, or at least 
seemed relenting. 

“ Praise God! The good ship Dolphin is afloat once 
more!” said Le Roche. “ Surely she should be called 
our Good Hope,” said another, and so on they spoke 
merrily and hopefully to each other. Although there 
were some, who said but little; in whose eyes the tears 
stood, not for sorrow, but for gladness too deep to voice 
in words. 

They seemed to see, far beyond the waters, the sun- 
light falling on their native hills in a sheen of glory; 
lighting up the vales and vineyards; the orchards and 
fields of corn; the haven of Rochelle, crowded with ship- 
ping; its ramparts holding in stout embrace their homes 
and home folks— nay, they seemed to hear mingling with 
the moaning of the surf breaking at their feet, the very 
market cries; gay songs of revelers, or hymns of praise 
and thanksgiving; not loud, because coming so far, yet 
clear enough for their souls to hear and be thrilled through 
and through. 

Amongst those left behind to guard and transport 
the stores, there was a young man who sat upon the bank 
with his head upon his hand, silent for a while, gazing 
after the ship. “What ails thee, mon ami?” queried a 
comrade, placing his hand upon his shoulder. 

“Thou knowest, LeBarron, I ran away and joined 
Monsieur Ribault’s ship, because I thought life at home 
was a torment, but I am heartsick to hear Dame Marjorie 
scold again. I would rather hear her make the sauce- 


Story of the Huguenots 


177 


pans fairly rattle with her tongue, than listen to the 
angels’ singing; for look you, then I would know that I was 
at home once more!” 

“Ah lad!” LeBarron answered, looking at the swell- 
ing of the Dolphin’s sails as she bowed to the billows, 
“There be others that would like to drink a tankard of 
red Burgundy in thy mother’s inn, and with God’s help 
they may.” And with Hope’s song in their hearts they 
gazed seaward lost in dreams of home. 


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CHAPTER XXIX 

THE SPANIARDS SEEK TO DESTROY THE HUGUENOTS— 
THE BATTLE OF AZALA. 

A few hours after the departure of the Dolphin, 
LeBarron came to D’Erlach, who was superintending the 
transportation of stores to the shallop and reported that 
off the cape could be seen the gleam of far-off sails. 

And so it proved, for as the sun set low in the west 
its rays beat full and fair against the white canvas of 
four vessels steering northward, coming close enough to 
land for the French to distinguish their hulls. 

These, by their fashion and size, were judged rightly 
to be the squadron Melendez expected, but as the vessels 
kept on their course no alarm was created. Rotrou 
meantime had gained his harbor before the Spanish ves- 
sels came into sight and was hidden from them. He 
sought and found a suitable place for finishing the re- 
pairing of the Dolphin, in a deep creek out of sight from 
the inlet, behind dense thickets of mangrove trees, where 
for a fortnight the work went on undisturbed. 

Melendez at St. Augustine, upon the arrival of the 
ships containing soldiers, colonists, horses and supplies 
although having so much to engage his attention in the 
more securely establishing of his colony as to prevent 
him from leading it, could now send a detachment to 
retaliate upon the Huguenots the destruction of the out- 
post at Matanzas, doubting not that it would be an easy 
matter to over-master the remnant of Ribault’s forces. 


Story of the Huguenots 


179 


To the several Spanish cavaliers, too proud to work 
or be deeply interested in the building of forts, houses or 
settlements, the lack of opportunity to display their mil- 
itary spirit was very irksome. So when the Adelantado’s 
intention of attacking the Frenchmen was made known 
there was eager strife amongst them as to who should 
lead. 


It had been learned that a small detachment of 
Huguenots was with Ostinola but that the larger party was 
at Cape Canaveral, or supposed to be, for those on board 
the squadron, coasting along near to land had noted the 
wrecks, also the little stockade and had seen men busy 
about them. 

So, while a detachment of two hundred soldiers was 
placed under the command of Diego de Maya for the 
land attack, Martin D’Ochoa was given two large cara- 
vels with as many more on board, to assault the Canav- 
eral post. 

As for D’Ochoa, his expedition was a fruitless and 
not dangerous one, for on his arrival he found the local- 
ity deserted by the French. He, however, burned their 
huts and stockade. Nor could he find any trace of their 
whereabouts, for upon his appearance the Indians of the 
neighborhood fled to inaccessible haunts on the inner 
islands. 

But Maya's expedition had different results. It 
landed secretly at night from boats on the south side of 
the Matanzas Inlet and once more the dawn of day 
gleamed on helm and corselet, and the beach side showed 
a long marching column, for besides the soldiers there 


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were slave porters and camp followers after the fashion 
of the times, making quite an army. 

There were friars also, carrying the crucifix, for this 
was a Christian invasion of a land whose inhabitants 
were pagans and heretics. 

At evening they came to a little village at the head 
of the river, whose inhabitants, not able to resist, fled in 
dismay; several being shot as they ran through the for- 
est or towards the shore as if they had been but wild 
beasts. Whatever was left behind, of use to them, the 
soldiers looted. 

On the next day when they came to the village oppo- 
site Ostinola’s town, this, too, they found deserted and 
although across the river could be seen signs of people 
moving, having no boats wherewith to cross, it was 
determined to halt and send out scouts to find the enemy. 
Nor was it long before these reported that at a place two 
leagues below, both on the mainland and peninsula 
shores, were many Indians gathered to dispute their fur- 
ther progress. 

Maya divided his forces into two parties, the larger 
one to march southward by the beach, the other carrying 
only their arms, by a little central valley and seeing that 
reinforcements were constantly going by water, he hast- 
ened forward. 


THE BATTLE OF AZALA. 

The main body pressed rapidly onward until sudden- 
ly a stinging hail of arrows fell on them from the high 
bank along the seashore. Shouting their war cry of 
‘Santiago! For Leon and Castile!” the Spaniards rushed 
up the steep, sandy banks and rapidly drove the Indians 
back towards a high central ridge. Here they were sud- 


Story of the Huguenots 


181 


denly halted by a volley of bullets from young D’Er- 
lach’s squad of arqubusiers. 

It came so unexpectedly upon the Spaniards, there 
was a lull for a moment, but soon firing on the north told 
of the other detachment having reached the scene of 
action. Then rose a clamor of Indian war whoops, Span- 
ish and French war cries mingled with the reports of 
firearms and other sounds of battle, such as these wilds 
had never known before. 

Several assaults were led by DeMaya in person, but 
were beaten back bravely. 

Ostinola and his warriors were fighting for their 
homes, their liberties and lives. The Huguenots knew 
no mercy was to be expected from such foes. But the 
Spaniards were well armed and so armored that the 
chances of loss in battle from the weapons of the Indians 
were small. Their steel caps and breastplates were im- 
pervious to the arrow shafts, but several in the close en- 
counter were beaten to death with clubs, and sometimes 
a well-aimed arrow or spear point found a defenseless 
spot. 

Then the thickets were so dense and filled with stub- 
born, agile foes, that headway was difficult as well as 
dangerous. 

Ernest D’Erlach and Uhlrich with their little hand- 
ful of arquebusiers and a number of Ostinola’s men with 
halberds, but not well skilled in using them, formed the 
very core of the defense, and perceiving this, Maya sent 
his best men against them and here the battle waged the 
hardest. At last an Arragonese soldier skilled as a 
marksman, got a shot at the young lad that brought him 
to the ground, but as he was in the very act of uttering a 


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shout of triumph, Itahoma, with unerring aim sped a 
shaft from his strong bow, which drove right through his 
eye into the brain. At this moment the flanking party of 
Spaniards drove back the Indians before them and Maya 
ordered his men to charge. 

This forced the Indians and the little company of 
Huguenots back toward the river shore, fighting every 
foot of the way. Along the riverside there was a long 
straggling village with gardens. A portion of this was 
seized by the Spaniards, but another portion, somewhat 
apart from the rest, which had rude palisades about 
it and contained a large shell mound, was stoutly de- 
fended by the Indians and Huguenots, until sundown, 
when the battle ceased. 

The grief and consternation of the Huguenots was 
indescribable when they found Ernest was missing. 
None but Itahoma had witnessed his fall and he could 
only tell how a Spaniard had fired at him, and that 
young D’Erlach fell immediately, but that the brush was 
so thick he could not see him any more — “Neither,” he 
added grimly, “ could the soldier who shot him.” 

The night was dark, but both Itahoma and Uhlrich 
stole through the woods to the scene of the main battle 
and searched for Ernest, but found him not. There 
was anxiety also amongst them over the disappearance 
of Issena, who, with her favorite companion, Nonotta, 
although they had come to the village in the morning, 
was not to be found anywhere. 


Story of the Huguenots 


183 


CHAPTER XXX. 

THE LAD’S DESPERATE PLIGHT— ISSENA’S HEROISM— 
D’ERLACH TO THE RESCUE. 

On the eve of this first day of the battle of Azala, the 
rays of the descending sun, poured through all the wide 
horizon rich floods of radiant color, glorifying land and 
sea and river, into a dream of heaven. 

They illumined the curling wreaths of battle smoke 
with rainbow irridescence, and piercing through the 
ranks of forest trees, fell on bruised leaves of plants and 
blades of grass, all dabbled and stained with the red tide 
that is the life of mortal men; and lying in the midst of 
them, upon the stiffening forms of those who never more 
would strive in desperate battle, and on the wounded 
writhing in paiii, clamoring for water. ’Twas Nature’s 
lesson, that despite its covering of pomp and glory, war 
is never aught but hell. 

Already treading on the heels of the last charge, 
which drove the battle toward the river shore, were the 
Spanish camp followers searching the hillsides and the 
valley with their daggers ever ready to give short shriv- 
ing to the Indians left behind, disabled by their wounds. 

“ Why spare them? They are but pagan dogs! Send 
them to their father, Satan!” This was their only logic, 
emphasized by steel. 

Still echoed the sounds of the contest raging fiercely 
around the village; the sharp reports of arquebuses; the 
clash of swords and halberds; war whoops and battle 


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cries; with anon a bugle blast or war conch's wild disso- 
nance, mingling in a barbarous discord, answered from 
the sunfilled heights of air by the screams of soaring 
eagles. 

At this time, and near the spot where the Huguenots 
had stood to meet the foes onslaught, the bushes were 
parted and two young girls stepped forth into the open. 

One said: “Near this very place I saw him last. I 
marked it well, for I could see, against the gray trunk of 
this gnarled oak, the gleaming of the egret plume I dyed 
for him myself and fastened but yesterday on his morion 
— for so, he said, the ladies of his land were wont to do 
by their chosen knights — and truly he was mine. And 
yet I see no trace of him, though only a few short moments 
have passed since then. 

“As the Spaniards poured over the crest of yonder 
hill, there came a volley from all the arquebuses that 
filled the air with thunder and smoke, so that none could 
hear or see. Then came the rush of the charge, and as 
his comrades were beaten back I saw he was not with 
them." 

They were Issena and her faithful friend Nonotta, ven- 
turing on the battlefield in search of the younger D'Er- 
lach, and as they looked hither and thither, hoping, yet 
dreading, to find what they sought, Issena called out: 
“Ernest! My Ernest, where art thou?" 

There came no answer, save the mournful burden on 
the air and then she uttered low: “My heart will break 
if I find him not. And yet — when I do find him — it may 
still break. Oh thou, his God and mine, I pray Thee let 
me find him! He is too young and fair and brave to die! 
If he be dead, how can my soul, to whom the way is 
strange, find his in Heaven?" 




Story of the Huguenots 


185 


From various points of the valley and hillsides, 
thickly set with tall spruce pines, bent toward the west 
by sea winds, with underneath tangles of low shrubs, 
broken and bent still lower by the trampling of many 
feet, came groans and cries to which she turned a listen- 
ing ear; eager to catch a tone she would know full well, 
but could not hear amongst them all. 

The summit of the seaward ridge was not far and 
from it came the sound of voices. They turned their faces 
towards it and saw a group of black-robed men, gazing 
downward. The friars had found the Arragonese arque- 
busier still alive, with Itahoma’s arrow shaft fast in his 
head and he, so far as concerned this life, past all pray- 
ing for or surgery. Then arose upon the air the old Latin 
service for the dying. 

Listening for a moment and seeing that from this 
source, not soon at least, would come interference with 
them, the two continued their seeking, until Nonotta 
pulled back a sweet bay branch hiding a little hollow 
and exclaimed: “See, Issena! Here lies the young 
chief! He looks as if he slept, but I do fear he is—” 

“Nay! Nay! Say it not! I cannot, will not have 
it so!” And springing forward Issena flung herself beside 
the outstretched form, lying face upturned, with set lips 
and staring eyes that saw not. 

One hand still tightly gripped the sword he had 
drawn to meet the Spanish charge; the other lay upon 
the ground as if to stay himself in falling; and taking 
this in hers, she uttered in words mingled with sobs and 
tear-drops falling like rain; “Oh, my love! If thou canst 
not speak aloud, whisper! Be it but one word-if ever so 
faint and low— I will hear it in my heart. Or, if not even 


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that is in your power, do but move your lips to frame a 
word or make your eyelids quiver, that I may know thou 
art not gone from me forever.” 

She ceased and gazed fixedly on the pale, cold face 
before her; heedless of the near sounds or farther echoes 
of the cruel war still raging near them. To her it mat- 
tered naught. 

The world had slipped away from her and was as if it 
had never been. Over her young soul the waves of desola- 
tion were sweeping, and she was drowning in them, nor 
cared to make a single effort. If he were dead, what 
was it all to her? 

Then she placed an arm under his head and raised it, 
gently speaking in his ear: “ I call thee, mon ami! Canst 
thou not hear me? If thou art going to that far bright 
land thou hast told me of so often, tarry a little while 
upon the way that I may join thee!” 

She kissed him. There was the faintest breathing of 
a sigh. The eyelids closed. She put her ear to his breast 
as if to listen to a heart beat. 

Of a sudden, a ray of hope lighted up her countenance 
just as the summer lightning does a Gulf Stream cloud. 

“Oh, Nono, my friend! He lives! His heart still 
beats! Quick! Grasp my hands underneath him — so! 
They must not find him here to finish slaying him.” 

Tenderly they raised him in their strong young arms 
and bore him swiftly down the glade, not toward the 
village, for the enemy was between them, and the fight- 
ing not yet over. 

Ere the shadows of the twilight came upon them, 
they reached a little pool of water in a deep hollow, far 
enough away for present safety, where underneath the 


Story of the Huguenots 


187 


oaks and palmettos, in a spot bare of aught but soft 
leaves and grass, they laid their burden down. 

From the clenched fingers they took the sword; un- 
loosed the. steel cap, in which Nonotta brought water; 
while Issena, heedless of the blood stains, save as they 
moved to more tender care and pity, unfastened the lad’s 
bullet-torn doublet and found so jagged and great a wound, 
made by the ploughing bullet, it took all the spirit from 
her, making her mourn and tremble. 

And yet, they did, between them, so manage to bind up 
the wound with such knowledge of healing leaves gather- 
ed near, as staunched the farther flow of blood; helped by 
the cold insensibility so near akin to death, it was hard 
to tell the difference. 

Twilight deepened into night. To this hollow deep 
amid the forest and thicket-covered ridges, came the 
booming of the surf as if miles away. The branches 
overhead shut out the stars. There was no wind, only a 
ghostly mist came floating in, which they could feel in 
its chill and dampness, but neither see nor hear. But 
naught came to harm them. 

And by his side, through the long dark hours, in the 
little bower of palmetto leaves they had built, Issena sat, 
while the soul of Ernest struggled back to sensibility; 
listened to his every sigh and inspiration, with his hand in 
hers; gave him water; cooled his forehead or soothed him 
with words he himself had taught her; glad despite the 
pitch black gloom, that their service of love and pity 
showed some reward. 

At last the weary vigil was broken, just before the 
dawn of day, by the strains of a bugle coming sweet and 
clear from the river. 


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Florida Historical Tales 


It was Luigo blowing. The Chevalier was coming to 
the rescue. An answering strain — it was LeBearnois tell- 
ing where the beleaguered Huguenots were. 

Then farther still, arose the clamor of the Spanish 
trumpets and drums calling to-arms. 


Story of the Huguenots 


189 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE HUGUENOTS GAIN ANOTHER VICTORY. 

There was a thick mist on the river, enough to hide 
the shore from a little distance out upon the water even 
when the day dawn came to tinge its fleecy folds with 
roseate hues; but guided by LeBearnois’ bugle, the Chev- 
alier, with a fleet of canoes, filled with warriors from the 
lower river villages gathered on his way, and fifty of his 
own men, steered straight for the position held by Uhl- 
rich and Ostinola, which De Maya had prepared to carry 
by storm in the morning. But now, not knowing the full 
strength of the reinforcements, and judging rightly that 
they were headed by D’Erlach himself, De Maya was 
convinced that he must add discretion to valor and rap- 
idly made preparations for either fight or flight as need 
be. However, he would first assault and try their strength 
so sent a hundred arquebusiers to assail the stockade. 

This detachment from the cover of the nearest dwell- 
ings, suddenly began heavy and rapid firing, sending a 
hot storm of bullets upon the Huguenots and Indians, 
promptly answered in like manner. In the midst of 
which fusilade D’Erlach landed. 

A few words from Ostinola and Uhlrich informed 
him of the condition of affairs, also that Ernest was miss- 
ing; that Uhlrich and Itahoma had themselves searched 
the* battlefield and found no trace of him, nor did they 
believe he was in the hands of the Spaniards. 


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Meantime the latter were pushing the contest so vig- 
orously, it was necessary to repel them, before aught else 
could be done. 

Perceiving that the houses, although slightly built, 
concealed their foes from sight, arrows wrapped with 
inflammable materials set on fire, were shot into their roofs 
of thatch, which , speedily caught in flames, driving the 
Spaniards back. 

Under cover of the smoke, flanking parties of Indians 
were sent out which were speedily met by De Maya’s 
falling back toward the beach. 

The trails through the timber and thickets by which 
they retreated were narrow, and with some of his best 
men De Maya held back all assaults, until from behind 
the high sea ramparts he could employ his whole force 
in the battle. 

But every moment, his enemies thickened and draw- 
ing closer to his lines, poured in upon them such galling, 
stinging showers of arrows, that at the last discouraged 
by the utter impossibility of overcoming the allied forces, 
he began the retreat towards Matanzas, leaving several 
of his best men slain. 

De Maya had surely stirred up a nest of hornets and 
all along the coast line he had to fight his way north- 
ward until sunset put an end to the contest in the vicin- 
ity of Le Camp Reconte Felice, where he camped that 
night, and from whence on the next day he retreated to 
St. Augustine. 

It is said that this expedition thoroughly convinced 
the Spanish captain that there was neither glory or profit 
to be derived from waring with these coast tribes, and 
that soon afterwards he left Melendez’ service and joined 
the conquistadores of South America. 


Story of the Huguenots 


191 


Meantime, how fared it with Issena and her charge. 
When the two heard the bugles blowing, for they were 
not so far from the river shore that the sounds could not 
reach them distinctly, hope filled their hearts. Help 
surely was near at hand. But when at daylight came 
the echoes of renewed battle, they listened with anxiety. 

The sound of firing aroused Ernest somewhat from 
his insensibility. His voice was faint and he could only 
mutter brokenly: “I hear the arquebuses — the battle 
goes on — and I — what means this — my side pains me so!” 
Then looking up into the face of the form bent over him 
with the daylight falling fair upon her features, he 
added: “Is it thou, Issena? Take my hand — I scarce 
can lift it.” And so, apparently content, he relapsed into 
silence, so motionless, so marble- white his face, it seemed 
certain that death had set its seal upon him. 

Soon there drifted in upon them, filtering through 
the forest growth, streams of pungent smoke. What if 
the woods were on fire and the hungry flames should 
come leaping in upon them? They would scarcely dare 
to move him for fear of starting his wounds afresh. Nor 
would they know where to fly for safety. They knew not 
where their friends were, or their enemies. What could 
they do but await the issue of the battle, meantime clear- 
ing a circle around them of the dead leaves and under- 
brush, so as to keep back the fire should it come. 

An hour longer they listened until the clamor of the 
battle grew more distant by which they knew the enemy 
was retreating. Then came the trampling of men 
through the thickets following their own little path down 
the glade. 

The two girls sprang to their feet, and in a moment 


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Florida Historical Tales 


there rang a shout of discovery as the foremost of the 
searchers, an Indian, saw them. 

Following on his heels came D’ Erlach himself, with 
others. His eyes saw in a moment the little bower; the 
lad’s sword leaning against a tree trunk; the stained 
doublet and morion. His tongue uttered but this: “My 
brother, is he here?” “See, my lord!” answered Issena, 
removing a broad palm leaf so that he could look upon 
Ernest. “Nay,” she exclaimed, as D’Erlach started, 
thinking he was dead. “He is alive, but so grievously 
hurt I fear much for him. All night long his soul seemed 
on the point of flight and sometimes I thought it was so, 
and then my heart was very heavy.” 

Then she told him all the story, and true hearted 
soldier as he was, the Chevalier kissed her hand and so 
thanked her for her loving loyalty, that to her dying day 
she forgot not his words. 

Andreas Le Roche was somewhat skilled in surgery, 
both by study and experience, and after a brief examin- 
ation, said the lad stood a chance of recovery with care 
and nursing, and that what had been done was well done, 
but that extreme caution must be used in moving him to 
better quarters. A courier arriving at this moment said 
the Spaniards were making a stout defence at the sea- 
side, so D’ Erlach rapidly made what arrangements were 
necessary to transport them all across the river to the 
main village, and hastening back to the contest, ani- 
mated anew by finding Ernest still alive, soon made such 
disposition of his forces as started the Spaniards on their 
retreat up the beach, thus driving back the last invasion 
for many years of Ostinola’s. territory. 

Towards evening, Ottigny and Uhlrich came back to 


Story of the Huguenots 


193 


Azala with two prisoners, whom they had captured in the 
attack upon De Maya’s retreating forces. They had re- 
cognized them as members of the assassin band that had 
slain Ribault, nor did the men deny it, but rather gloried 
in the deed. Earlier in the day one of the friars also had 
been taken. So a council, after the fashion of a military 
court was called, composed of Ostinola, his chief men 
and the Huguenot officers, who tried and condemned the 
assassins to be put to death. They were accordingly 
bound to a tree and shot to death with arrows, the friar 
being permitted to give them his services and then the 
latter was turned loose to rejoin his defeated country- 
men. 

And so ended in victory for the Huguenots their last 
battle with the Spaniards on this coast. 

THE DOLPHIN WINS HER PORT— THE JUNE DAY AT 
ROCHELLE. 

How shall the rest of the story be told? Just as the 
old Chronicle tells it. 

It was the evening of a June day, A. D. 1566, in fair 
Rochelle, the brave old city by the waters. 

Amongst the shipping in its harbor, moored fast to 
the wharf, was the battered, worn hulk of the Dolphin, 
and close by as frayed and wave worn by billows and tem- 
pest, a Spanish galleon from which floated beside the 
flag of France, the D’Erlach banner. 

Only the morn before, these two vessels, close to 
each, bther, sailed by the Isle de Re, with colors flying, 
sails full spread, trumpets blowing; answering the cul- 
verins of the fortress at the harbor’s mouth, with their 
own “bastards and mynions” and brass guns of Spanish 
make, in noisy salute; making fast to the landing amidst 


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the shouts of the^burghers and sailors of the Huguenot 
city, gathered there to give them welcome. 

Albeit there was sadness soon, overcoming their 
rejoicing, when it was seen how few they were who 
returned from that far, strange land, whither had sailed 
from this very port, Ribault’s gallant fleet. And there 
were many, both men and women, the latter chiefly, 
who crowded on board the vessels to ask how it had 
fared with this one, that one, or the other; too often 
going slowly homeward with bent heads or weeping sorely. 

Amongst them came a comely matron, with eye alert 
and springy step and white kerchief, stiff as starch could 
make it. In a moment she had sought and found a 
young man, the comrade of LeBarron, and placing a 
hand upon his shoulder said: “Is it thou, Ambroise 
Elide? I could scold thee good, thou runaway, but my 
heart is too glad!” and then she fell to weeping. 

It was Dame Marjorie, who had found her son, and 
he flung his arms around her, saying: “Scold, mother 
mine, an thy heart will let thee, for it will be sweeter 
music than I have heard for many a weary day.” 

One trod along the gangway plank leading to the 
galleon’s deck, for whom the throng made respectful 
way. He had on a dark gown with band of white about 
his neck and wore a black skull cap, the whole costume, 
severe and plain, as became the chief preacher of Ro- 
chelle, Master Keppel, the guardian of Ribault’s daugh- 
ter, the Lady Jeanne. 

He came as one expecting sad news, for from his win- 
dow overlooking the harbor he had seen the vessels com- 
ing in and had marked the absence of Ribault’s own ships. 

To him D’Erlach told the whole story of Ribault’s 
fate. Showed the script and signet ring the general had 
given him in charge; and set apart that evening to de- 
liver the same into the daughter’s own hands. Then 


Story of the Huguenots 


195 


brought to him his brother Ernest, still pale and thin as 
scarce recovered from his wound, with the Princess 
Issena and her faithful Nonotta, and asked that the Lady 
Jeanne might, as soon as her sorrow would permit, take 
charge of the maids. This and more, was on the first 
day of arrival. 

The evening of the second day, LeBearnois, Antoine 
Uhlrich, the Florentine Luigo, LeRoche and LeBarron, 
were bidden by Ambroise to his mother’s inn, where 
Master Keppel was to join them, as Dame Marjorie 
wished much to hear all they could tell “for that addle- 
pated son of mine can give neither head nor tail of the 
story.” 

So they went at his bidding; passing up the well- 
known narrow streets, paved with cobble stones and 
lined with quaint old buildings; by the burghers’ council 
hall, the church and market, and entered the inn door 
just as dusk fell and the cressets were lighted; showing 
up the long low dining room with its red-tiled floor, and 
tables heaped with good cheer; not forgetting great flag- 
ons of wine, with the Dame’s best silver tankards to 
drink it from, polished like mirrors. And when they 
had eaten much and drank but little, she and Master 
Keppel, who had joined them, pressed them to tell the 
story of their mishaps and wanderings, while her maids 
and neighbors gathered near to listen. 

Andreas at first was spokesman, but before it was all 
told, each joined in to tell a part and as they spoke their 
hearers sighed, wept or shuddered, but seldom smiled. 

The story was finished by Le Bearnois, who told 
how, after the battle of Azala, “where the friars ran so 
fast they tripped upon their gowns,” the Huguenots fin- 
ished the repairing of the Dolphin; gathered with the 
help of Ostinola and his men such stores of provisions as 
the country afforded and they needed; filled their water 


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Florida Historical Tales 


casks; received many presents of dressed skins, Indian 
fabrics and curiosities; and how lastly, when they were 
ready to depart, Ernest declared he would not part from 
Issena or she from him, nor Nonotta from her, and so it 
was finally settled between the Cacique and the Chevalier, 
that the two should go with them to France. Also 
how, upon the last day, came the Cacique’s wife, Co- 
wena, bringing an earthen pot of pearls and many other 
rare things that would make the two damsels quite a 
fortune. 

“Fair and sunny was the morning, when the tide 
turning seaward, the signal gun was fired. Then our flag 
rose proudly to the masthead; our sails filled to the 
breeze and with our prow turning the wavelets into foam, 
accompanied to the very breakers on the bar by Ostinola 
and his flotilla of canoes, we laid our course for France.” 

“But where fell you in with the Spanish galleon?” 
asked Master Keppel. 

“Why, that was a stroke of good Providence in our 
favor. There is off the coast of Florida a great group of 
islands called the Bahamas, sometimes the Isles of Bo- 
hemia. Soon after we left port there came up a heavy 
north gale, which despite all we could do, drove us south- 
ward. We had none on board who knew aught of the 
seas around these islands, but by good fortune we ran 
under the lee of one called Abaco, and there we found 
and surprised the galleon. After mastering the crew we 
set them ashore to shift for themselves as best they 
could, they being better acquainted with the country and 
we so overcrowded on the Dolphin as to be uncomfort- 
able. We found also considerable treasure on board and 
provision, whereat we rejoiced greatly, for that we 
should not suffer from empty stomachs or come home 
empty-handed.” 


Story of the Huguenots 


197 


The tale was ended as the moon arose, flooding tow- 
ers and ramparts, the city’s clustering dwellings and the 
harbor with its mellow light; and they, being joined by 
others from the ships, beneath the clustering vines of the 
arbored garden of the Inn, hanging full with unripened 
grapes, the air fragrant with the breath of roses, sang 
and danced for hours, glad to their souls to be home once 
more in La Belle France. 


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Florida Historical Tales 


APPENDIX 

It will be seen by the historical facts given in this 
Story of the Huguenots that they were the first martyrs 
to civil and religious liberty on the North American 
Continent; arriving as they did nearly half a century be- 
fore the landing of the Puritans at Plymouth. Their 
trials, sufferings, and the tragic deaths of many of them, 
while not resulting in establishing a permanent settle- 
ment, sanctified the land to liberty, although more than 
two hundred years elapsed before a final victory was 
achieved for human freedom and the greatest republic 
on earth was established. 

Another fact is shown by history: The Huguenots 
driven to America by intolerable oppression, from first 
to last, have filled our chronicles with gallant and pa- 
triotic deeds and the names of their descendants stand 
high on our rolls of honor, in every walk of life. 


Story of the Huguenots 

Press Notices of First Edition Condensed 


“Should be in every American Library.” — New York Journal. 


“An intensely interesting story of the East Coast of Florida, 
well told.” — Review of Reviews. 


“I have read this book to my pupils as an American Classic. 
It should be in every school library.” — Prof. Griffiths, Jacksonville, 
Fla. in School Exponent. 


“A splendid story of fortitude, daring and suffering.” — Mail 
and Express, N. Y. 

“A Story of thrilling interest.” — Strand Magazine, London, 
England. 

“F. A. Mann has given us in his ‘Story of the Huguenots’ in 
words that bum and thoughts that inspire, the chapters needed to 
make the romance of Florida perfect. Every visitor should take 
the work home with him that he may produce justification for the 
marvelous charm Florida casts over every one who treads her soil. 
The true Floridian should have his children read the narrative that 
they may learn to love their state with pure, exceeding love and 
that the bravery, devotion and sacrifice therein set forth, may give 
fresh impulse to noble deeds.” — Times Union and Citizen, Jackson- 
ville, Florida. 


“Brother F. A. Mann’s Story of the Huguenots is one of the 
brightest and most interesting pieces of history ever presented to 
the public.” — Fraternal Record, Jacksonville, Fla. 


“This work is the only reliable history published in our lan- 
guage of these French Protestants, who left Rochelle, in the sixteenth 
century, to evade the tyranny of a King ‘who loved them not,’ 
and established a little colony on the coast of Florida. The sad 
fate of these poor wanderers is known to every school boy, but Mr. 
Mann, a descendant of these same Huguenots, has been able by 
delving among their original records to give a full story of their 
wanderings, which is at once valuable as history and enchanting 
as romance.”— Extract from lengthy review in Tampa, Fla., Daily 
Times. 


“Having read the Story of the Huguenots by F. A. Mann, 
we pronounce it interesting and instructive; in diction, elegant and 
classical. The author rivals many of the old historical writers m 
blending fact and romance so happily.” — Lake City, Fla., Reporter. 


“Few readers who are interested in the beginnings of our history , 
both religious and political, can afford to pass unread this vital 
narrative.” — Fall River, Mass., News. 


“A more entertaining and instructive one we have never 
read.” — DeLand, Fla., Record. 


“From the very outset my attention was ri vetted and firmly 
held to the last word. * * * The book is a notable addition 

to the literary treasures of Florida.” — G. L. Laboyteaux. 


The above are a few only of the many comments of like character 
upon the book received from all parts of the country. 

The original edition having long ago been exhausted, the con- 
tinued demand for the work has prompted the author to publish 
a revised and enlarged edition with added facts of interest and 
historical value, the result of later researches. 

In improved binding, new and larger type it is hoped the new 
edition now out will be favorably received by the reading public. 


For the 

Story of the Huguenots 

PRICE, POSTAGE PAID, $1.50 

Address 

F. A. MANN 

Lompoc, California 


A new edition of a companion book, The Story of Ponce de 
Leon will soon be in print, a few copies of the original edition only, 
at $1.25 on hand. 

For either or both address as above. 

































































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hb 24 1912 


One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



